Israel Adesanya will face Dricus Du Plessis in the main event of UFC 305 tonight and try to regain the middleweight title.
Adesanya, a former two-time champion, will attempt to take the belt from Du Plessis in his first title defense, in a rematch in Perth.
After Adesanya surprisingly lost the gold medal to Sean Strickland last September, Du Plessis dethroned Strickland in January and became – in his own words – the first “real” African UFC champion.
The South African insisted he meant the first person to not only be born on the continent but to train there his entire career. However, Nigerian-born Adesanya – who plays for New Zealand – took exception to the claim. The issue was raised again at Thursday’s press conference when Adesanya broke down in tears while challenging Du Plessis.
The pair will settle their dispute tonight as the middleweight belt is on the line in Perth. The co-main event will see flyweight contenders Steve Erceg and Kai Kara-France square off in an Australia vs. New Zealand bout.
Follow live updates and results from UFC 305’s main and preliminary fights below:
UFC 305 LIVE
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Dricus Du Plessis (C) vs. Israel Adesanya (middleweight title)
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Kai Kara-France vs. Steve Erceg (Flyweight)
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Mateusz Gamrot vs Dan Hooker (Lightweight)
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Jairzinho Rozenstruik vs Tai Tuivasa (Heavyweight)
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Li Jingliang vs. Carlos Prates (Welterweight)
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Plus preliminary fight updates and results
UFC 305 LIVE
21:21 , Alex Pattle
Israel Adesanya will face Dricus Du Plessis in the main event of UFC 305 tonight and try to regain the middleweight title.
Adesanya, a former two-time champion, will attempt to take the belt from Du Plessis in his first title defense, in a rematch in Perth.
After Adesanya surprisingly lost the gold medal to Sean Strickland last September, Du Plessis dethroned Strickland in January and became – in his own words – the first “real” African UFC champion.
The South African insisted he meant the first person to not only be born on the continent but to train there his entire career. However, Nigerian-born Adesanya – who plays for New Zealand – took exception to the claim. The issue was raised again at Thursday’s press conference when Adesanya broke down in tears while challenging Du Plessis.
The pair will settle their dispute tonight as the middleweight belt is on the line in Perth. The co-main event will see flyweight contenders Steve Erceg and Kai Kara-France square off in an Australia vs. New Zealand bout.
