UFC 305: Dricus Du Plessis vs. Israel Adesanya

Built on leaks and anticipation, the UFC 305 Perth Australia card has been setting the MMA world abuzz for a while now. And a whiteboard is the culprit behind the leak.

UFC 305: Dricus Du Plessis vs. Israel Adesanya

Dana White while on the matter of discussing changes in UFC 303, couldn't keep the eagle-eyed fans at bay as they spotted their favorites, like Israel Adesanya, Song Yadong, Jack Della Maddalena, Steve Erceg, and Drakkar Klose. And so the bird was out, and Izzy was finally gracing the octagon back!

But soon after, Dana White gave his stamp of approval. The main card will be a thrilling showdown between old rivals former champion Israel Adesanya and the current middleweight king, Dricus du Plessis. The event promises to be a blockbuster for the UFC, with the Australian market expected to deliver a massive audience. With the main event and the potential for other high-profile matchups, UFC 305 is poised to be one of the year's biggest events.

UFC 305: Dricus Du Plessis vs Israel Adesanya

The rivalry between Adesanya and du Plessis ignited at UFC 290, where the South African sensation emphatically knocked out Robert Whittaker to claim the middleweight title. A heated face-off between the two following the fight set the stage for an inevitable clash. Originally scheduled for a quicker turnaround, a du Plessis injury forced the UFC to book a different interim title fight, which saw Sean Strickland claim the belt. However, the path to a unification bout between Adesanya and du Plessis remained clear.

The co-main event of UFC 305: Du Plessis vs Adesanya - Kai Kara France vs Steve Erceg

The co-main event of UFC 305 promises to be a thrilling bout between the flyweights: New Zealand's Kai Kara-France and Australia's Steve Erceg.

Kai Kara-France, a former interim flyweight title challenger, is looking to rebound from a recent two-fight losing streak. Known for his aggressive striking and durability, Kara-France is a fan favorite and possesses knockout power in both hands.

Steve Erceg, a rising star in the flyweight division, is coming off a tough loss to champion Alexandre Pantoja. The Australian is a well-rounded fighter with excellent striking and grappling skills.

This matchup is a classic clash of styles, with Kara-France's aggressive striking against Erceg's well-rounded skill set. The winner of this fight will undoubtedly take a significant step forward in the flyweight division.

The main event of UFC 305: Dricus Du Plessis vs. Israel Adesanya  

A highly anticipated rematch between the charismatic, Israel Adesanya, and the crown holder, Dricus du Plessis with a potent mix of animosity, skill, personality, and cultural undertones, is sure to be a recipe for an exciting matchup!

Adesanya, the former middleweight champion, reigned over the division with a unique blend of striking brilliance and showmanship. However, his reign was unexpectedly interrupted. At UFC 287, Alex Pereira, a longtime rival from their kickboxing days, delivered a devastating knockout that sent shockwaves through the MMA world. The loss marked a significant setback for Adesanya, but it also ignited a fire within him to reclaim his throne.

via Imago

Thereafter entered Dricus du Plessis. The South African powerhouse stormed through the middleweight division, showcasing exceptional power and aggression. His knockout victory over Robert Whittaker was a coming-out party, establishing him as a genuine title contender. However, a planned title shot against Adesanya was derailed due to injury. Sean Strickland stepped in as an interim champion, only to lose the belt to Du Plessis in a controversial split decision at UFC 297.

And then there's the matter of a true representative of African MMA. "Stillknocks," has been vocal about his belief that he is the only one which only irked Adesanya, who is of Nigerian descent. This "African debate" has added a layer of intensity to the rivalry, with both fighters trading barbs and fueling the anticipation for their showdown. The stage is set and we are here for it.

UFC 305: Du Plessis vs Adesanya Fighters’ Record, Stats, Previous Fights

Israel Adesanya

  • Record: 24-3-0

  • Nickname: The Last Stylebender

  • Style: Striking, Muay Thai

Dricus du Plessis

  • Record: 21-2-0

  • Nickname: Stillknocks

  • Style: Striking, wrestling, and grappling

Kai Kara-France

  • Record: 14-4-0

  • Nickname: The Don

  • Style: Striking, Muay Thai

Steve Erceg

  • Record: 14-4-0

  • Nickname: The Spartan

  • Style: Striking, Wrestling

Mateusz Gamrot

  • Record: 24-2-0 (1 NC)

  • Nickname: Gamer

  • Style: Striking, grappling, submission

Dan Hooker

  • Record: 23-12-0

  • Nickname: The Hangman

  • Style: Striking, Muay Thai

Tai Tuivasa

  • Record: 15-6-0

  • Nickname: Bam Bam

  • Style: Striking, Muay Thai

Jairzinho Rozenstruik

  • Record: 13-4-0

  • Nickname: Bigi Boy

  • Style: Striking, Muay Thai

Li Jingliang

  • Record: 19-7-0

  • Nickname: The Leech

  • Style: Striking, grappling

Carlos Prates

  • Record: 19-6-0

  • Nickname: The Nightmare

  • Style: Striking, grappling

Location, Venue, Date, Time of UFC 305: Dricus Du Plessis vs Israel Adesanya  

UFC 305 will take place on Sunday, August 18, 2024, at the RAC Arena in Perth, Australia. Catch the prelims at 8 PM ET, and the main card kicks off at 10 PM ET. Get ready for an electrifying night of mixed martial arts action as the world's best fighters converge on the Land Down Under.

Weigh-Ins, Pre-Fight, and Post-Fight Press Conference

Yet to be announced!

Past UFC events in Perth, Australia

UFC 305 will be the UFC's third event in Perth, Australia, and all of these were held at the RAC Arena in Perth. The previous were UFC 284: Makhachev vs. Volkanovski & UFC Fight Night: Lewis vs. Spivac.

The commentary team of UFC 305 - Will Joe Rogan be there? 

Any information is yet to be disclosed about the team, but Joe Rogan is unlikely to be part of the commentary team for UFC 305 in Perth, Australia. It is expected given the color commentator's sporadic presence at international events.

Where to Watch? UFC 305: Du Plessis vs Adesanya Tickets

In terms of streaming options, for the US fans, it is the usual ESPN+. But for those who want to catch the action in Perth, the official UFC website, and TICKETEK, are the way to go.

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