At UFC 305, South African Dricus Du Plessis retained his middleweight title by submitting Nigerian-born former champion Israel Adesanya in the fourth round with a rear naked choke.
The bout, charged with pre-fight tensions, saw Adesanya ahead 2-1 on the scorecards before Du Plessis turned the fight with powerful strikes and a decisive takedown.
This submission marks the first of Adesanya’s professional career, as Du Plessis improved to 21-2, continuing his unbeaten UFC streak of eight fights.
“I always knew if I’m in trouble fighting one of the, if not the best strikers ever in this division, I need that takedown,” Du Plessis said after his first title defence since winning the belt in January. “This man is the king of getting back up. No one can take him down and keep him there.”
Du Plessis had taken Adesanya down in the second round and attempted to choke him, but the challenger got back up and ripped into Du Plessis with kicks and punches to the body in the third round.
“Believe me, I do not want to get kicked by that man again,” Du Plessis said. “Izzy, if you decide to retire tonight, thank you.”
Adesanya, who has now lost three of his last four fights, said he intended to keep going.
“I just made a stupid, dumb mistake,” he said. “I’m 35, I’m doing the right things… watch this, I’m not leaving.”
