Monster Energy’s Dricus Du Plessis Submits Israel Adesanya to Defend UFC Middleweight Championship Title at UFC 305

UFC 305: Du Plessis vs. Adesanya was contested in entrance of 14,150 spectators inside RAC Enviornment in Perth. In a historic first, the headline struggle marked the primary UFC championship struggle between two African-born fighters. That includes 5 fights on the Major Card, UFC 305 was broadcast dwell on ESPN and Prelims streamed on the ESPN+ platform.

The most recent addition to Monster Vitality’s MMA athlete roster, Du Plessis (22-2) stepped into the Octagon because the reigning UFC Middleweight Champion. Du Plessis earned the belt by defeating Sean Strickland at UFC 297 in January 2024, making historical past as the primary South African to win a UFC championship.

Du Plessis’ opponent in Saturday evening’s title protection struggle was former two-time UFC Males’s Middleweight Champion Adesanya (24-4). In his most up-to-date struggle, the 35-year-old from Lagos had misplaced the title to Strickland at UFC 293 in October 2023. Now the Nigerian wished the 185-pound division belt again!

Intent on defeating his UFC championship title, Du Plessis pressured the challenger from the beginning by combining fierce kicks and explosive strikes. In Spherical 2, Du Plessis drew on his grappling expertise to land an early takedown and proceeded to maintain Adesanya on guard with submission makes an attempt.

The third spherical noticed Adesanya firing again with punishing photographs to the physique, however Du Plessis retained the higher hand by discovering openings for focused strikes that stunned his opponent. The opening of Spherical 4 noticed Adesanya enhance the strain with heavy-handed, harmful strikes. However finally, Du Plessis proved his dominance by finessing a right-hand fist that wobbled the challenger into a fast takedown.

Earlier than Adesanya had an opportunity to regulate his defenses, Du Plessis secured the again and locked within the rear bare choke. At 3:38 minutes of Spherical 4, Adesanya tapped out, making Du Plessis the winner by submission in his first profitable UFC title protection. It was the primary submission loss on Adesanya’s resume.

“I got here right here to die with this belt. Right here I’m. And nonetheless, child!” stated Monster Vitality’s Du Plessis after defending the UFC Middleweight Championship at UFC 305.

Hailing from South Africa, Du Plessis made his UFC debut in October 2020 at UFC Struggle Night time 179. Earlier than competing in MMA promotions, the well-rounded fighter earned worldwide titles as an beginner kickboxer. UFC 305 marked his first struggle as an official Monster Vitality athlete.

What’s subsequent for Du Plessis? Based on UFC insiders, the following title protection may characteristic former champion Strickland because the most certainly contender. However even a bout towards former title holder Alex Pereira is within the playing cards. Keep tuned as Du Plessis continues his historic run within the UFC!

Dricus Du Plessis counts amongst Monster Vitality’s elite UFC athletes together with Kamaru Usman, Jon Jones, Chris Weidman, Rose Namajunas, Marlon Vera, Michael Chandler, Justin Gaethje, Yair Rodriguez, Jessica-Rose Clark, Valentina Shevchenko, Brandon Moreno, Daniel Rodriguez, Punahele Soriano, Gilbert Burns, Giga Chikadze, Johnny Walker, Beneil Dariush, Gaston Bolanos, Brendan Allen, Jalin Turner, Sean Strickland, Zhang Weili, Dan Ige, Diego Lopes, Alex Pereira, Daniel Zellhuber, Derrick Lewis, Belal Muhammad, Alexa Grasso, and Cameron Saaiman.

For extra on Monster Vitality’s MMA athletes, go to http://www.monsterenergy.com. Observe Monster Vitality on YouTube, Fb, Instagram, Twitter and TikTok.

About Monster Vitality
Based mostly in Corona, California, Monster Vitality is the main marketer of vitality drinks and different drinks. Refusing to acknowledge the normal, Monster Vitality helps the scene and sport. Whether or not motocross, off-road, NASCAR, MMA, BMX, surf, snowboard, ski, skateboard, or the rock and roll life-style, Monster Vitality is a model that believes in authenticity and the core of what its sports activities, athletes, and musicians symbolize. Greater than a drink, it is the lifestyle lived by athletes, sports activities, bands, believers, and followers. See extra about Monster Vitality together with all of its drinks at http://www.monsterenergy.com.

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