South African UFC champion Dricus du Plessis. (Jeff Bottari/Zuffa LLC/Getty Images)
- South Africa’s Dricus du Plessis retained his UFC middleweight world title by beating New Zealand’s Israel Adesanya in Perth on Sunday.
- In a tense fight, Du Plessis secured victory when he choked out his opponent in the penultimate round.
- The two fighters displayed respect for each other afterwards.
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South African mixed martial arts fighter Dricus du Plessis defeated New Zealand’s Israel Adesanya in the UFC 305 main fight in Perth on Sunday.
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Du Plessis, 30, secured the defence of his world title in the fourth round when he was able to wrestle Adesanya, 35, to the mat before securing a chokehold that forced the Nigerian-born fighter to tap out.
Du Plessis was accompanied into the Octagon by Springbok rugby stars Siya Kolisi and Eben Etzebeth, with his country’s national anthem thundering around the venue. The Boks were also in Perth having beaten Australia 30-12 in a Rugby Championship Test on Saturday.
After Du Plessis’ victory, Etzebeth and Kolisi could hardly contain their enthusiasm as they celebrated wildly.
Dricus du Plessis of South Africa lands a decisive punch against Israel Adesanya of Nigeria in the middleweight championship fight during UFC 305 at RAC Arena on 18 August 2024 in Perth, Australia. (Paul Kane/Getty Images)
Dricus Ddu Plessis of South Africa celebrates winning his fight against Israel Adesanya of Nigeria by submission during UFC 305 at RAC Arena on 18 August 2024 in Perth, Australia. (Paul Kane/Getty Images)
Dricus du Plessis of South Africa grapples with Israel Adesanya of Nigeria in the middleweight championship fight during UFC 305 at RAC Arena on 18 August 2024 in Perth, Australia. (Paul Kane/Getty Images)
Dricus du Plessis of South Africa walks out to the octagon to fight Israel Adesanya of Nigeria in the Middleweight championship fight during UFC 305 at RAC Arena on 18 August 2024 in Perth, Australia. (Paul Kane/Getty Images)
Dricus du Plessis ahead of his UFC 305 fight against Israel Adesanya in Perth on 18 August 2024. (Jeff Bottari/Zuffa LLC/Getty Images)
Eben Etzebeth, Dricus du Plessis and Siya Kolisi celebrate at the UFC 305 event in Perth on 18 August 2024. (Jeff Bottari/Zuffa LLC/Getty Images)
Dricus du Plessis gets a chokehold on Israel Adesanya during their UFC 305 fight at RAC Arena in Perth on 18 August 2024. (Paul Kane/Getty Images)
Dricus du Plessis has his arm raised by Israel Adesanya. (Paul Kane/Getty Images)
Dricus du Plessis takes a punch from Israel Adesanya. (Paul Kane/Getty Images)
Dricus du Plessis celebrates his victory. (Jeff Bottari/Zuffa LLC/Getty Images)
There was also mutual respect between Du Plessis and Adesanya afterwards, despite the build-up to the fight being tense between the two rivals.
“For me, [it was an honour] to share this Octagon with a legend. Not potentially, but 100% a hall of famer. This man has done so much for this sport,” Du Plessis said after his victory.
Du Plessis also apologised for any disrespect caused in questioning Adesanya’s African heritage in the build-up to the fight.
“I’m really sorry that it came across that I disrespected the fact that he’s from Africa. That was never my intention. Tonight, Africa would have won regardless… but tonight South Africa was the victor,” Du Plessis continued.
READ | Sports ministry ‘close’ to realising goal of hosting Dricus’ UFC title defence in South Africa
Adesanya said: “I’m disappointed, but at the same time I’m proud because this is the best I’ve felt and looked. I just had the better man on the night and I’ll give him respect for that.”