In a tense showdown at UFC 305, South African fighter Dricus Du Plessis retained his middleweight title by submitting Nigerian-born Israel Adesanya in the fourth round.
The event, held at RAC Arena in Perth, Western Australia, on Sunday, August 18, was charged with pre-fight tensions surrounding race and identity.
Adesanya, a former two-time champion, entered the fight with a strong resolve to reclaim the title he lost to Sean Strickland last September.
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Leading 2-1 on the scorecards heading into the fourth round, Adesanya appeared on course for victory.
However, Du Plessis shifted the momentum with a series of powerful hooks and jabs, eventually taking Adesanya down and locking in a “rear naked choke.”
Adesanya was unable to escape and was forced to submit, which sealed Du Plessis’s dramatic victory.tic victory.