Nearly a year removed from his last outing inside the Octagon, Israel Adesanya returned to the main event spotlight on Saturday night for a clash with reigning middleweight champion Dricus Du Plessis at UFC 305.
After losing two of his last three, ‘The Last Stylebender’ opted to take some time away from the sport to heal up. In the meantime, South Africa’s Du Plessis has risen to the top of the division via a split decision win over former titleholder Sean Strickland in January. Now, ‘DDP’ will look to do what few have done and hand Adesanya a loss on MMA’s biggest stage.
Round 1
Adesanya takes the center of the Octagon as Du Plessis offers up a couple of low kicks. Du Plessis continues to attack the left leg of Adesanya before advancing and offering a straight left. Adesanya lands a calf kick and Du Plessis comes back with a one-two. Adesanya jabs as Du Plessis once again goes back to the one-two. Adesanya lands a nice kick to the body and Du Plessis gives him his receipt. A straight right from Du Plessis misses the mark as Adesanya approaches and throws another leg kick.
Du Plessis lands a kick to the body. Adesanya jabs and Du Plessis goes high with a kick before a brief takedown attempt that he quickly abandons. Adesanya throws another body kick and Du Plessis moves in with a combination of strikes. Adesanya throws a combination. Du Plessis responds with a stiff right hand that connects. Adesanya tags Du Plessis with a uppercut.
Du Plessis throws a fast high kick that Adesanya blocks and responds with a nasty rip to the body. Du Plessis throws one more high kick before the end of the round.
Round 2
Adesanya opens the round with a calf kick that prompts Du Plessis to switch stances. The heat is starting to turn up with both fighters firing off low kicks. Adesanya moves in and Du Plessis level changes, taking the ‘Stylebender’ to the mat. Adesanya narrowly got to his feet but was forced to turn his body after ‘DDP’ threatened a rear-naked choke. Adesanya was flattened out and appeared to be in trouble, but he fought his way back up and returned to the center of the cage.
Back on his feet, Adesanya started to let his hands go prompting Du Plessis to shoot for another takedown which he promptly finished. Adesanya gets a warning for a fence grab. Adesanya briefly gets to his feet but is worked right back down to the mat. Adesanya eventually gets back up again, but he’s got Du Plessis riding his back and muscling him back down.
Du Plessis lands some nice strikes from behind as Adesanya finally breaks the grip. Du Plessis goes right back to the single leg and keeps Adesanya’s back against the fence for the remainder of the second.
Round 3
Things start a little slower this time around, but Adesanya continues to be the one pushing the pace. Du Plessis keeps a high guard prompting Adesanya to tag his body with a thudding blow. Adesanya partially lands a head kick as Du Plessis is only offering single shots. Du Plessis throws a head kick but is looking a bit labored. Adesanya goes back to the body attack. Du Plessis lands a nice right hand. Adesanya throws a spinning back elbow as Du Plessis moves in, but doesn’t catch all of it.
Adesanya tries the spinning elbow again but gets caught with a left hand from Du Plessis this time. ‘DDP’ throws a three-punch combo before shooting in for a takedown. Adesanya defends and Du Plessis comes right back with another right. Adesanya goes down, but only because he tripped while taking a backward step. Du Plessis lands a punishing calf kick.
Adesanya again rips to the body and Du Plessis lunges in, landing a couple of shots in response. Adesanya lands a leg kick just before the end of the round and Du Plessis is sucking wind on his way back to the corner.
Round 4
Adesanya kicks off the offense in the fourth with a head kick followed by an uppercut. Du Plessis shoots for a takedown, but Adesanya sprawls and forces a labored Du Plessis to get back up. Adesanya lands a sharp right hand before going back to the body with a kick. Du Plessis looks to land a big right hand, but Adesanya rolls with the attempt and avoids danger. Du Plessis lands a big body kick and tries to move forward, but eats a combination from Adesanya.
Adesanya’s confidence appears to be growing. Du Plessis lands a big left hook that momentarily pauses Adesanya. Du Plessis lands a right that clips Adesanya on the side of the head and temporarily takes him off his feet. Du Plessis swarms in while Adesanya is on the mat and sinks in a lightning-quick rear-naked choke. With no way out, Adesanya taps out.
Official Result: Dricus Du Plessis def. Israel Adesanya via submission (rear-naked choke) at 3:38 of Round 4
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