UFC 305 Results: Dricus Du Plessis submits Israel Adesanya to retain title

LockerRoom Team

18 Aug 2024

Perth was treated to an unforgettable night of action at UFC 305, with moments that will be etched in history, even if not all of them favored the hometown crowd. Middleweight champion Dricus Du Plessis retained his title in a thrilling finish, and Kai Kara-France made a strong case for his return to flyweight contention. The event also showcased a lineup of rising prospects who demonstrated their potential as future contenders.

UFC 305: Du Plessis vs. Adesanya took place on Sunday, August 18, at RAC Arena in Perth, Australia, and aired live in Asia. The event drew a sold-out crowd of 14,152, generating a gate of $5,477,097, setting a record as the highest-grossing event at RAC Arena.

Dricus Du Plessis successfully defended his UFC middleweight title for the first time against former champion and No. 2 contender Israel Adesanya. The fight was close and competitive through the first three rounds, with Adesanya’s striking skills on display and gaining momentum. However, in the fourth round, Du Plessis shifted gears, landing punches that sent Adesanya to the canvas. Du Plessis then secured a back choke, ending the fight.

"I was fighting the greatest striker in the division, so I needed that takedown," Du Plessis said. "At this level, it's hard to keep people down, and he's the king of getting back up. But I'm still here—'And Still,' baby!"

Kai "Don’t Blink" Kara-France, the No. 4-ranked flyweight, faced off against recent title contender and No. 9-ranked Steve "Astroboy" Erceg. Erceg started strong, but Kara-France's power proved too much, as he secured a first-round TKO.

"I had to take time away, balance all my other priorities, but with my team City Kickboxing, this is what we love, this is what we do," Kara-France said. "We knew Steve was going to be crafty. I couldn't just let the cannon go; I had to set it up. And that's when we found the finish. Who do you think I should fight next for the title?"

AWARDS

• Fight of the Night: Dan Hooker versus Mateusz Gamrot
• Performance of the Night: Kai Kara-France
• Performance of the Night: Carlos Prates

OFFICIAL RESULTS

UFC 305 Results

• Dricus Du Plessis defeats Israel Adesanya by submission (rear-naked choke) at 3:38 of Round 4
• Kai Kara-France defeats Steve Erceg by TKO (strikes) at 4:04 of Round 1
• Dan Hooker defeats Mateusz Gamrot by split decision (28-29, 29-28, 29-28)
• Jairzinho Rozenstruik defeats Tai Tuivasa by split decision (29-28, 27-30, 30-27)
• Carlos Prates defeats Li Jingliang by KO (left hand) at 4:02 of Round 2

PRELIMS

• Valter Walker defeats Junior Tafa by technical submission (ankle lock) at 4:56 of Round 1
• Ricardo Ramos defeats Josh Culibao by split decision (29-28, 28-29, 29-28)
• Casey O’Neill defeats Luana Santos by unanimous decision (30-27, 30-27, 30-26)
• Jack Jenkins defeats Herbert Burns by TKO (strikes) at 0:48 of Round 3
• Tom Nolan defeats Alex Reyes by unanimous decision (30-27, 30-27, 29-28)
• Song Kenan defeats Ricky Glenn by unanimous decision (30-27, 30-26, 29-28)
• Jesus Aguilar defeats Stewart Nicoll by submission (guillotine choke) at 2:39 of Round 1

What are your thoughts on the event? Let us know in the comments below.