South African fighter Dricus du Plessis successfully retained his UFC middleweight championship by defeating Nigerian-born New Zealand fighter, Israel Adesanya, via a fourth-round submission.
The thrilling bout took place at the RAC Arena in Perth, Australia, marking a significant moment in the sport as it was the first UFC championship fight between two African-born fighters.
The match lived up to the hype, with both athletes displaying their skills from the very start. Du Plessis and Adesanya engaged in a highly competitive contest, each bringing their own strategies and strengths into the octagon.
Du Plessis, known for his aggressive style, found early success by mixing up his attacks, combining powerful leg kicks with swift blitzes. Meanwhile, Adesanya, a seasoned striker, was able to counter with precise strikes from a distance, making the opening rounds a closely contested affair.
As the fight progressed into the second round, du Plessis shifted his approach by relying on his wrestling skills. He secured an early takedown, showcasing his grappling prowess.
Although Adesanya managed to get back on his feet, du Plessis continued to press with his wrestling, nearly finishing the fight with several submission attempts. The South African’s dominance on the ground was evident, making the second round a strong one for him.
However, Adesanya, a former champion and one of the most successful fighters in the middleweight division, responded in the third round. He focused his attacks on du Plessis’ body, landing several powerful strikes that seemed to wear down his opponent.
Despite his fatigue, du Plessis continued to fight back, showing his own striking abilities and making it clear that he was not ready to concede the fight.
As the match entered the championship rounds, the tension between the two fighters was palpable. Adesanya appeared to be regaining control of the fight, turning the momentum in his favor with his striking. But du Plessis was not done yet.
In the fourth round, he returned to his grappling strategy, executing a perfectly timed takedown off a right hand. With a seamless transition, he locked in a rear-naked choke, forcing Adesanya to tap out and securing his victory.
The win was a significant achievement for du Plessis, who now holds a prestigious victory over one of the greatest fighters in mixed martial arts (MMA) history. Adesanya, with his remarkable track record, has long been considered one of the best fighters in the sport.
Du Plessis acknowledged this in his post-fight comments, praising Adesanya’s career and recognising the magnitude of his own accomplishment.
“His career can’t be argued,” du Plessis said of Adesanya. “He’s one of the greatest fighters ever. Not in the middleweight division, not in the UFC, but in MMA, one of the best to ever do it. While he’s still in the organization, I’m holding the belt, which makes it pretty evident that there’s something special [about me] and there’s something different.”
This victory also brings an end, at least for now, to the intense rivalry between du Plessis and Adesanya. The two fighters have a history of heated exchanges, both inside and outside the octagon. Their matchup was highly anticipated, not just for the title implications, but also because of the personal animosity that had built up between them over time.
