UFC 305: Full card results, Dricus du Plessis retains title, Kai Kara-France knocks out Steve Erceg

Dricus du Plessis defended the UFC middleweight title with a fourth-round submission win over Israel Adesanya at UFC 305 in Perth.

After an extremely close fight in which Adesanya seemed to take the lead easily, du Plessis landed some hard shots before falling back and forcing him to submit with a rear naked choke.

After a heated argument, the couple buried the hatchet following the fight.

MORE: UFC 305 live updates, results and highlights

“This man has done so much for this sport,” Du Plessis said after the fight.

“I am truly sorry that it was perceived that I did not respect the fact that he is from Africa. That was never my intention.

“Tonight Africa would have won either way, but tonight South Africa was the winner. It was an honour to share the cage with such a legend. I have the utmost respect for him, warrior to warrior.

“I don’t want to be kicked by that man again.”

There was some speculation that Adesanya would end his career after a loss, but the former two-time champion dismissed that notion.

“I’m disappointed in myself, but proud at the same time because I’ve never felt and looked as good as I did today. I was simply the better man that night and I give him my respect for that,” said Adesanya.

“I know all you motherfuckers want to see me lose, want to see me hit the ground, but look at this, I’m not fucking going!”

In main support, Kai Kara-France was able to add another first-round knockout to his record and potentially secure a spot in the fight for the world championship with a clear victory over Steve Erceg.

The New Zealander won the showdown across the Tasman Sea with Perth native Erceg by knocking him to the ground with a long left hook and finishing him off shortly after with a hard right.

Earlier, Dan Hooker scored a surprise split decision victory over Mateusz Gamrot, combining his diverse striking techniques with sharp defensive grappling to defeat the world No. 5 ranked lightweight.

In the heavyweight division, Jairzinho Rozenstruik proved too precise and skillful for the somewhat skittish Tai Tuivasa, who suffered his fifth consecutive defeat, this time by a rather confusing split decision that resulted in the dissenting judge being relieved of his duties for the remainder of the event.

Meanwhile, Carlos Prates scored a remarkable KO against Li Jingliang, the first such loss in the Chinese boxer’s career, establishing himself as a power in the welterweight division.

Check out how it all went down below:

UFC 305 results and fight card

Main map

• Dricus du Plessis (c) defeated Israel Adesanya by submission in the 4th round (rear naked choke)
• Kai Kara-France defeated Steve Erceg by KO in the 1st round
• Mateusz Gamrot defeated by Daniel Hooker about decision (29-28 x2, 28-29)
• Tai Tuivasa defeated by Jairzinho Rozenstruik by split decision (29-28, 30-27, 27-30)
• Li Jingliang defeated by Carlos Prates by KO in the 2nd round

Front Page

• Junior Tafa defeated by Walter Walker about the submission of the 1st round (technical)
• Josh Culibao defeated by Ricardo Ramos by split decision (29-28 x 2, 28-29)
• Casey O’Neill def. Luana Santos by unanimous decision (30-27 x 2, 30-26)
• Jack Jenkins defeated Herbert Burns by TKO in the 3rd round

Early preliminary rounds

• Tom Nolan defeated Alex Reyes by unanimous decision (30-27 x2, 29-28)
• Song Kenan defeated Ricky Glenn by unanimous decision (30-27, 30-26, 29-28)
• Stewart Nicoll defeated by Jesus Aguilar by submission in the 1st round (guillotine)

When is UFC 305? Schedule and start time for PPV card and main event

UFC 305 takes place on Sunday, August 18. Prelims begin at 8:30am AEST, preliminary bouts at 10am AEST. Main bouts begin at 12pm AEST. Du Plessis and Adesanya should arrive in the Octagon around 2:15pm AEST, depending on how long the prelims last.

Here’s how this schedule corresponds to other time zones around the world: