One of the biggest rivalries in recent memory will finally spill over into the Octagon this evening (Sat., Aug. 17, 2024) at UFC 305 LIVE on ESPN+ PPV from inside RAC Arena in Perth, Australia, as former middleweight king Israel Adesanya returns after a one-year hiatus to challenge current UFC titleholder Dricus du Plessis for the undisputed 185-pound crown.
This main event grudge match between du Plessis and Adesanya has been a long time coming. The two middleweights were expected to meet at UFC 293 in September of last year, but du Plessis wasn’t going to be ready in time and Sean Strickland ended up stepping in. Strickland upset Adesanya via decision and then lost the UFC middleweight title to du Plessis at UFC 297 this past January. It all comes full circle tonight at UFC 305.
Luckily for fight fans, the fun doesn’t stop there. UFC 305’s PPV main card will also feature a pivotal flyweight matchup between former title challenger Steve Erceg and perennial contender Kai Kara-France. Not to mention a lightweight affair pitting rising contender Mateusz Gamrot against a reinvigorated Dan Hooker.
Ahead of tonight’s action, the promotion has released the official “Cold Open” video preview for UFC 305. As always, the promo montage is narrated by actor, Ron Perlman, and features a tremendous build-up for tonight’s main attractions. Check it out in the above video player and don’t miss a second of the PPV action tonight at UFC 305.
MMAmania.com will deliver LIVE round-by-round, blow-by-blow coverage of the entire UFC 305 fight card RIGHT HERE, starting with the early ESPN+ “Prelims” matches at 6:30 p.m. ET, followed by the remaining undercard balance on ESPN/ESPN+ at 8 p.m. ET, before the PPV main card start time at 10 p.m. ET on ESPN+ PPV.
To check out the latest and greatest UFC 305: “Du Plessis vs. Adesanya” news and notes be sure to hit up our comprehensive event archive right here. For the updated and finalized UFC 305 fight card and PPV lineup click here.