UFC 305 Highlights: Du Plessis Defends Title, Rozenstruik Eyes Heavyweight Contention, Adesanya's Future

Dricus du Plessis defended his UFC middleweight title against Israel Adesanya via 4th round submission. Kai Kara-France won the co-main event. Other results include Dan Hooker defeating Mateusz Gamrot, Jairzinho Rozenstruik beating Tai Tuivasa, Carlos Prates knocking out Li Jingliang, Valter Walker submitting Junior Tafa, Ricardo Ramos defeating Josh Culibao, Casey O'Neill beating Luana Santos, Jack Jenkins TKOing Herbert Burns, Tom Nolan defeating Alex Reyes, Song Kenan beating Ricky Glenn, and..

Dricus Du Plessis, the current middleweight champion, welcomes a fight with Alex Pereira, the light heavyweight champion, but prefers it to take place at 205 pounds to avoid Pereira's potential 'excuses' about his weight cut. Du Plessis believes he needs to be considered the greatest middleweight first, having defeated top fighters like Izzy Adesanya and Robert Whittaker. He is interested in a fight with Sean Strickland and is also open to the possibility of becoming a two-weight champion. Per..

Israel Adesanya suffered his first submission loss to Dricus Du Plessis at UFC 305, but his hands were only a bit sore, and he is not retiring. Adesanya believes this defeat is part of his destiny, though the loss stung more due to the pre-fight trash talk centered around their African-ness. Despite the tension, the fighters showed mutual respect after the bout, with Du Plessis giving Adesanya a gift backstage. Adesanya is not desperate for an immediate rematch, acknowledging Du Plessis as the..

Carlos Prates earned a $50,000 bonus for a stunning second-round knockout of Li Jingliang, who had not been knocked out in his 17-year career, at UFC 305 in Perth, Australia. Photographer Colin Murty, shooting for Getty Images via Agence France-Presse, captured the face-melting moment. Prates' win was his 10th straight, with the past 9 by knockout, including his first 3 in the UFC.