In a thrilling main event at UFC 305 in Perth, South African middleweight champion Dricus du Plessis successfully defended his title by submitting Israel Adesanya with a rear-naked choke in the fifth round. Despite appearing fatigued during the third and fourth rounds, du Plessis managed to rally and deliver a decisive blow in the final round, eventually forcing Adesanya to tap out. The victory marked du Plessis' third consecutive title defence, following previous wins against Robert Whittaker and Sean Strickland.
After the fight, du Plessis expressed his deep respect for Adesanya, acknowledging him as one of the greatest strikers in the division and a future UFC Hall of Famer. In an emotional post-fight interview, du Plessis apologised for any perceived disrespect during the lead-up to the fight, particularly regarding their shared African heritage. He emphasised that it was never his intention to undermine Adesanya's connection to Africa, stating that the night would have been a victory for Africa regardless, but this time South Africa emerged as the victor.
Adesanya, while visibly disappointed, made it clear that retirement was not in his immediate plans, despite the loss. His defiant declaration, "I’m not f****** leaving," reassured fans that he intends to continue competing at the highest level in the UFC. The bout, which had been highly anticipated due to the intense buildup, ended on a respectful note as both fighters acknowledged each other’s achievements and contributions to the sport
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