Tag: Israel Adesanya

Officially slated to headline UFC 305 in two months’ time, an undisputed middleweight title fight between the incumbent, Dricus du Plessis, and former two-time gold holder, Israel Adesanya will close the curtain on August 18. at the RAC Arena in Perth, Australia.

du Plessis, the current undisputed middleweight champion, most recently headlined UFC 297 back in January in Canada, landing the divisional crown with a contentious split decision win over common-foe, Sean Strickland.

As for City Kickboxing star, Adesanya, the former two-time middleweight champion has been sidelined since September, dropping his gold for the second time in the space of a calendar year in the form of a decision loss to Sean Strickland.

Dricus du Plessis headlines UFC 305 with Israel Adesanya

Speculation was rife that Israel Adesanya was set to take on du Plessis at UFC 305 this summer – with the former teasing a fan-made poster of a card featuring him at the Pretoria native, with the organization confirming the pairing on social media tonight.

“IT’S OFFICIAL,” UFC posted. “The middleweight title will be on the line in Perth.” 

IT'S OFFICIAL

The middleweight title will be on the line in Perth!#UFC305 | @WestAustralia | #WAtheDreamState pic.twitter.com/fCCHfa8Pbu

— UFC (@ufc) June 17, 2024

First expected to take on Adesanya at the previously mentioned UFC 293 event in Australia, du Plessis saw his title charge taken over by Strickland – remaining sidelined following a devastating second round TKO win over Robert Whittaker amid lingering injuries.

Without a victory since April of last year in Florida, Nigerian-Kiwi striking ace, Adesanya avenged a prior knockout loss to current light heavyweight best, Alex Pereira with a stunning second round KO to reclaim the middleweight crown.

Who wins at UFC 305 later this summer: Dricus du Plessis or Israel Adesanya?

UFC CEO Dana White seems to accidently release several names who will feature on the upcoming UFC 305 card in Perth, Australia. 

September 10. 2023 was the last time the UFC held an event in Australia when Sean Strickland famously upset Israel Adesanya in the main event of the night. UFC 305 is set to fall sometime in August and currently only has two fights booked – Tom Noland vs. Alex Reyes and Casey O’Neill vs. Tereza Bleda. 

The grudge match between Adesanya and Dricus Du Plessis has been rumoured to be the main event of the night for some time now but no official announcement has been made. 

However, it does appear that Israel Adesanya at least will be confirmed for the card after a video posted by Dana White appeared to show the former middleweight champion, and others featured in the video.

Israel Adesanya features in leaked UFC 305 fight card footage 

This list of potentially leaked fighters also includes Song Yadong, Jack Della Maddalena, Steve Erceg and Drakkar Klose.

Seems like the UFC may have leaked the #UFC305 card in Perth in their #UFC303 update video

The names that can be made out are Israel Adesanya in the main-event, Song Yadong in the co-main event, and other names such as JDM, Steve Erceg, Drakkar Klose, etc.#UFC #MMA pic.twitter.com/9tSDa4KEBg

— Championship Rounds (@ChampRDS) June 16, 2024

Adesanya has not fought since his shock loss to Strickland and has claimed he intended to take an extended break from the sport. Now though, the 34-year-old seems ready and motivated to return to the cage.

“How excited am I to get back in the octagon? I’m excited,” Adesanya said via his YouTube channel. “I’m excited, it’s been a year — almost a year, like 11 months by the time I get back in the octagon. People are like, ‘Oh, I hope you get the belt back, I hope you get the belt back,’ I have belts. I don’t need any more belts. I’m coming for heads. That’s what I want to do.

“Just a few that I have to touch, and take.”

Last year the UFC signed a deal with multi-million dollar deal that would see them return to Australia on several occasions. 

Who wins, Israel Adesanya or Dricus Du Plessis?