Tag: UFC 305

Demetrious Johnson Predicts Dricus Du Plessis vs. Israel Adesanya At UFC 305: ‘If He Does Not Impose His Will…’

Demetrious Johnson recently shared his prediction for the highly anticipated middleweight clash between Dricus Du Plessis and Israel Adesanya at UFC 305. Du Plessis will defend his UFC middleweight title for the first time in a rivalry-charged showdown against Adesanya, headlining the upcoming pay-per-view event this weekend at the RAC Arena in Perth, Western Australia. […]

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Demetrious Johnson recently shared his prediction for the highly anticipated middleweight clash between Dricus Du Plessis and Israel Adesanya at UFC 305.

Du Plessis will defend his UFC middleweight title for the first time in a rivalry-charged showdown against Adesanya, headlining the upcoming pay-per-view event this weekend at the RAC Arena in Perth, Western Australia.

The two fighters have been caught in a maelstrom of animosity for some time now and were originally expected to clash in September 2023. However, an injury sidelined “Stillknocks.” Consequently, Sean Strickland took the South African’s spot and dethroned Adesanya in a short-notice bout at UFC 293.

Following his loss, “The Last Stylebender” announced he would be stepping away from the Octagon for a while, choosing to focus on his mental health and reassess his career trajectory. During his absence, Du Plessis made a powerful comeback, defeating Strickland in a hard-fought split decision at UFC 297 to claim the 185-pound title.

Even after returning from a loss and a year-long hiatus, Adesanya is still widely regarded as the favorite against Du Plessis, likely due to his exceptional distance control and top-tier striking skills.

“Mighty Mouse” believes these attributes give the Nigerian-born Kiwi a massive edge over a formidable power puncher like Du Plessis…

Johnson Confident Adesanya Shuts Down Du Plessis In Close-Range Fight

During a recent video on his YouTube channel, Johnson weighed in on the upcoming title clash between Du Plessis and Adesanya.

The reigning ONE Championship flyweight champion emphasized that the outcome of this fight will likely hinge on how well each fighter manages distance and navigates close-pocket exchanges.

“There is no secret I’m a big Izzy fan. I hope he wins,” Johnson said. “If Izzy does not go out there and (impose) his will on DDP, I think it’s going to be a long night for Izzy Adesanya. He does a very good job creating that void between him and his opponent and forcing them to come across the distance with his feints, his teeps, his high kicks, and his inside kicks—whatnot. That’s what he does best.”

“Mighty Mouse” went on to say that it will be crucial to observe how much Adesanya has evolved since his last fight and whether he can keep his emotions in check, avoiding reckless charges against “Stillknocks,” a masterful counter-striker.

“I’m looking at this fight to see how Izzy bounces back from his last loss against Sean Strickland,” Johnson added. “How is he going to approach this fight against DDP? There’s a lot of bad blood. Is Izzy going to let emotions take over the fight? I don’t foresee DDP knocking out Izzy unless Izzy makes a mistake. But if Izzy hasn’t evolved to where he’s like how he fought Robert Whittaker the first time, when he was sitting there hunting, it’s a risky game… If Izzy goes out there, implements and executes his game plan, and forces DDP to make a bad choice, to overextend in the void, or just goes out there and works him, I have Izzy winning that fight.”

“The Last Stylebender” is returning from the longest layoff of his UFC career, and all eyes will be on how he has grown, both physically and mentally, to overcome a formidable challenge like Du Plessis.

Adesanya is presently enduring the most arduous phase of his career inside the Octagon, having gone 4-3 across his last seven bouts.

Continue Reading Demetrious Johnson Predicts Dricus Du Plessis vs. Israel Adesanya At UFC 305: ‘If He Does Not Impose His Will…’ at MMA News.

Daniel Cormier Says Dricus Du Plessis Can Become a Double Champ in the UFC

Daniel Cormier Says Dricus Du Plessis Can Become a Double Champ in the UFCDaniel Cormier firmly believes that Dricus Du Plessis can do anything he sets his mind to, including capturing a…

Daniel Cormier Says Dricus Du Plessis Can Become a Double Champ in the UFC

Daniel Cormier firmly believes that Dricus Du Plessis can do anything he sets his mind to, including capturing a second UFC title.

On Saturday, ‘Stillknocks’ will defend his middleweight strap for the first time since stealing a split decision against ex-titleholder Sean Strickland in January. Standing in Du Plessis’ way of a successful defense will be Israel Adesanya, who looks to make history by becoming the promotion’s first-ever three-time champ at 185.

The two will headline UFC 305, emanating from RAC Arena in Perth, Australia.

Israel Adesanya vs. Dricus Du Plessis

Sharing his take on Du Plessis’ meteoric rise from prospect to world champion, Cormier believes the South African’s unique style has been largely responsible for his immense success and he expects that to continue in The Land Down Under.

“The problem with Dricus is that the things he does don’t look like everybody else’s,” Cormier told Submission Radio. “His feet may cross at an odd time, he may throw a punch from a weird angle, or he might do a takedown in a weird way, but it’s working. So you have to accept that just because it looks different, it’s not wrong—it’s his way, right? It’s his style, and he’s mastered it. He’s mastered it to the point that he’s the world champion. So I think that awkwardness will play to his benefit on Saturday night” (h/t MMA News).

Cormier confident Dricus du Plessis can capture double-gold with ‘the right matchup’

Having not yet defended the middleweight title, pundits were quick to caution Du Plessis’ desire to move up and try to claim a second crown. However, ‘DC’ is done doubting ‘DDP,’ suggesting that the man who made Izzy cry can do anything he wants inside the Octagon.

“I’m not doubting him no more. I’m just done doubting Dricus Du Plessis, man. I think he can do whatever he wants, you know? He’s shown time and time again that he can do anything, and Alex Pereira showed that it’s possible, right? Going from middleweight to light heavyweight and winning, and winning a lot. So yeah, I think he could, under the right circumstances. A lot of times it’s about matchups, right? The right person holding the belt is what makes you make that decision, and I think with the right matchup, Dricus can be a double champ.”

Dricus Du Plessis

With Adesanya on Saturday and Sean Strickland already on deck, it’ll probably be a while before ‘Stillknocks’ is allowed to move up, but that doesn’t mean we aren’t already salivating over the idea of a champion vs. champion clash between Dricus Du Plessis and Alex Pereira.

Alex Pereira

Former UFC Fighter Makes Bold Prediction For How Israel Adesanya’s Career Will End: ‘Bookmark This Clip…’

An ex-UFC heavyweight contender thinks he has a good idea of how the final chapter of Israel Adesanya’s career will play out. Dricus Du Plessis believes that after everything that Adesanya has accomplished in his career, he no longer has the same hunger to compete at the highest level. “The Last Stylebender” has a great […]

Continue Reading Former UFC Fighter Makes Bold Prediction For How Israel Adesanya’s Career Will End: ‘Bookmark This Clip…’ at MMA News.

An ex-UFC heavyweight contender thinks he has a good idea of how the final chapter of Israel Adesanya’s career will play out.

Dricus Du Plessis believes that after everything that Adesanya has accomplished in his career, he no longer has the same hunger to compete at the highest level. “The Last Stylebender” has a great run in the UFC’s middleweight division, and even if he was to walk away today, he’d be regarded as one of the best to ever do it in his weight class.

However, having recaptured the 185-pound title once before, the big question is whether the time that he has spent away will produce a rejuvenated Adesanya at UFC 305 this weekend.

He was incredibly active before taking a year off, and this meant that he was battling through injuries and potentially lost some focus heading into UFC 293 last September,

His loss to Sean Strickland was a shocking upset but it could have potentially led to what would be a third title reign for Adesanya.

Brendan Schaub Predicts Israel Adesanya Is Far From Done In MMA Following UFC 305

During his preview of all the action that is set to take place at UFC 305 this Saturday (Sunday local time) in Perth, Brendan Schaub gave his prediction for Adesanya’s path to retirement.

Unlike Du Plessis, he doesn’t think that “The Last Stylebender” is ready to walk away right now without becoming a UFC champion once again.

Schaub believes that Adesanya still has some career-defining fights left in him and went bold on the idea that when all is said and done, he will overtake the great Anderson Silva as being the best fighter to ever grace the middleweight division.

“This is how Izzy’s career is gonna go. He’s gonna beat Dricus, he’s gonna outclass him on Saturday. He’s gonna beat the s*** out of him, he’s gonna outclass this dude. It’s gonna be the old vintage Izzy. By old I mean, a year ago. He’s gonna beat the s*** out of him because he’s had rest, he’s no longer the hunted, he’s the hunter.

“He’s gonna beat Dricus, then he’s gonna fight Sean Strickland and he’s gonna be 100 percent focused. He’s gonna beat Sean Strickland. Then, he’s gonna take a break and then you’re gonna get Alex (Pereira) vs. Izzy at 205 (pounds); it’s his last fight ever and his wins over Dricus and Sean Strickland, I think there’s an argument now, makes him the greatest middleweight of all time. That’s how his story ends.”

Continue Reading Former UFC Fighter Makes Bold Prediction For How Israel Adesanya’s Career Will End: ‘Bookmark This Clip…’ at MMA News.

UFC 305 Betting Odds: Current Favorites For Du Plessis vs. Adesanya, Gamrot vs. Hooker, Tuivasa vs. Rozenstruik, & More

UFC 305 is almost upon us, and MMA News is here to keep you updated with the current odds for Saturday’s lineup. The upcoming pay-per-view takes place Saturday, August 17, at the RAC Arena in Perth, Australia. The main card begins at 10 PM ET/7 PM PT, with the preliminary card starting at 6:30 PM […]

Continue Reading UFC 305 Betting Odds: Current Favorites For Du Plessis vs. Adesanya, Gamrot vs. Hooker, Tuivasa vs. Rozenstruik, & More at MMA News.

UFC 305 is almost upon us, and MMA News is here to keep you updated with the current odds for Saturday’s lineup.

The upcoming pay-per-view takes place Saturday, August 17, at the RAC Arena in Perth, Australia. The main card begins at 10 PM ET/7 PM PT, with the preliminary card starting at 6:30 PM ET/3:30 PM PT.

Topping the lineup will be reigning UFC Middleweight Champion Dricus Du Plessis, who is tasked with getting the better of returning great Israel Adesanya if he’s to record a first successful title defense and stall the three-time ambitions of the Nigerian-New Zealander.

Before they go to battle, the co-main event will see another two Oceanic fighters in action. Pursuing a win in his home city is Steve Erceg, who competes again three months on from a narrowly failed title bid opposite Alexandre Pantoja. Hoping to send him to a first career skid is Kai Kara-France.

Also set to make the walk on Saturday night will be the likes of lightweight fan favorite Dan Hooker, heavyweight slugger Tai Tuivasa, and returning welterweight Li Jingliang.

Ahead of the event, you can get some help from the group of experts at MMA News by checking out their predictions for the UFC 305 main card here.

UFC 305: Du Plessis vs. Adesanya Betting Odds

Listed below are the latest betting odds for UFC 305 (as of 8/17), courtesy of DraftKings.

Main Card:

  • Dricus Du Plessis (-108) vs. Israel Adesanya (-112)
  • Kai Kara-France (+185) vs. Steve Erceg (-225)
  • Mateusz Gamrot (-410) vs. Dan Hooker (+320)
  • Tai Tuivasa (+200) vs. Jairzinho Rozenstruik (-245)
  • Li Jingliang (+275) vs. Carlos Prates (-345)

Preliminary Card:

  • Junior Tafa (-118) vs. Valter Walker (-102)
  • Joshua Culibao (-122) vs. Ricardo Ramos (+102)
  • Casey O’Neill (+120) vs. Luana Santos (-142)
  • Jack Jenkins (-625) vs. Herbert Burns (+455)

Early Preliminary Card:

  • Tom Nolan (-1200) vs. Alex Reyes (+750)
  • Song Kenan (-218) vs. Ricky Glenn (+180)
  • Stewart Nicoll (-205) vs. Jesus Aguilar (+170)

Continue Reading UFC 305 Betting Odds: Current Favorites For Du Plessis vs. Adesanya, Gamrot vs. Hooker, Tuivasa vs. Rozenstruik, & More at MMA News.

Dan Hooker: Makhachev, Tsarukyan, Gamrot Took Over Lightweight Division By ‘Stifling’ The Exciting Fighters

Dan Hooker believes the UFC lightweight division’s reputation as an all-action weight class has been hampered by the rise of a few names. Hooker is among the most notable names set to be in action at this weekend’s UFC 305 pay-per-view, set to go down inside the RAC Arena in Perth, Australia. The New Zealander […]

Continue Reading Dan Hooker: Makhachev, Tsarukyan, Gamrot Took Over Lightweight Division By ‘Stifling’ The Exciting Fighters at MMA News.

Dan Hooker believes the UFC lightweight division’s reputation as an all-action weight class has been hampered by the rise of a few names.

Hooker is among the most notable names set to be in action at this weekend’s UFC 305 pay-per-view, set to go down inside the RAC Arena in Perth, Australia. The New Zealander will be making his return from injury 13 months on from his victory over Jalin Turner.

His frequent calls to secure a spot on the upcoming card Down Under were eventually answered in the form of a showdown with top-five contender Mateusz Gamrot. “The Hangman” will enter as a sizable underdog against “Gamer,” who has come under criticism in recent times for his control-heavy fight style.

Although Gamrot has promised to deliver fireworks this time around in order to stake his claim for a title shot, Hooker fully expects him to shoot and hold on for dear life.

And more than just Gamrot, the lightweight veteran believes a number of names high up the ladder took over the division by stifling those who have long kept up its reputation as an entertaining roster.

Hooker: Oliveira, Poirier, Gaethje, & Others ‘Stifled’ By Lightweight Grabbers

During a recent interview on the FREESTYLEBENDER YouTube channel, Hooker looked ahead to his opportunity to climb back into title contention at 155 pounds and assessed the current state of the weight class’ top five.

“The Hangman” put his upcoming opponent alongside champion Islam Makhachev and top contender Arman Tsarukyan as three names who moved toward the lightweight mountaintop by smothering any and all exciting styles.

“I guess it’s like the elites — not necessarily the elites, but lightweight is such a stacked division, there’s so many exciting fighters, (Charles) Oliveira, (Justin) Gaethje, (Dustin) Poirier, (Jalin) Turner, (Michael) chandler; there’s a lot of very exciting fighters within that,” Hooker said. “But now you can see the guys that — because obviously being an exciting fighter, wanting to go out there and perform, put on a show, put on an incredible fight for the fans, you need the other guy to oblige.

“If I go out there and say, ‘I just wanna go out there, slang some leather, put on an exciting fight,’ and the other guy’s plan is to just grab ahold of me and stifle me until he wins, then he’s gonna win,” Hooker continued. “I feel like the top echelon of the lightweight division now with Islam, Arman, and Gamrot is the guys that have just stifled the division. That’s why the lightweight division is in such a weird place now. These guys have been able to stifle the exciting guys.”

Hooker will look to put a stop to that trend and avoid being “stifled” by Gamrot at UFC 305 this Saturday night (Sunday morning local time).

Should he accomplish that feat in what he’s promised will be the “most exciting fight” that the Polish athlete has been in, “The Hangman” would no doubt find himself back in the championship mix at 155 pounds.

Continue Reading Dan Hooker: Makhachev, Tsarukyan, Gamrot Took Over Lightweight Division By ‘Stifling’ The Exciting Fighters at MMA News.

Israel Adesanya: Dricus Du Plessis’ Past Opponents Have Underestimated His ‘Spirit’

Former two-time UFC middleweight champion Israel Adesanya knows the mistakes Dricus Du Plessis’ past opponents made that he cannot afford to replicate this weekend. The pair will collide in the main event of the UFC 305 pay-per-view, set to go down inside the RAC Arena in Perth, Australia. On the line will be Du Plessis’ […]

Continue Reading Israel Adesanya: Dricus Du Plessis’ Past Opponents Have Underestimated His ‘Spirit’ at MMA News.

Former two-time UFC middleweight champion Israel Adesanya knows the mistakes Dricus Du Plessis’ past opponents made that he cannot afford to replicate this weekend.

The pair will collide in the main event of the UFC 305 pay-per-view, set to go down inside the RAC Arena in Perth, Australia. On the line will be Du Plessis’ 185-pound gold, as he looks to make a first successful defense.

Adesanya, on the other hand, will be targeting a record third title crowning in the division — a feat yet to be achieved by any middleweight. To do so, the Nigerian-New Zealander must achieve another first.

The South African champ is yet to taste defeat on MMA’s biggest stage, going 7-0 to secure his place on the throne. Among those to fall to Du Plessis’ rise are the great Robert Whittaker and recent titleholder Sean Strickland.

But “The Last Stylebender” believes he knows how to avoid joining that list of victims, and the errors made by the likes of “The Reaper.”

Adesanya Won’t Play Into Du Plessis’ ‘Game’ At UFC 305

During an interview for UFC.com, Adesanya looked ahead to his opportunity to make history in Perth, which comes 11 months on from his shock title defeat to Strickland in Sydney last time out.

While he and Du Plessis certainly have their differences, both have expressed glimpses of praise for one another’s ability. And “The Last Stylebender” recently threw his opponent’s “spirit” and “toughness” into that mix while identifying the areas in which the South African’s past UFC rivals have failed to give him the necessary respect.

“They underestimate his spirit, his toughness,” Adesanya said. “He’s a tough guy. Also, they play his game. He makes it really dirty. And when I say dirty, it’s not in a bad way. He makes it really ugly and messy and then shoots on them and strikes from all angles and a different pace and cadence. I’ve looked at it, I’ve watched it for a while, and I look forward to exploiting it. He’s going to try to exploit me, but again, we shall see.

“When it’s time to go, when I lock in, and I’m really locked in, I destroy people,” Adesanya continued. “And this one, I’ve been really locked in for this fight and I’m going to destroy this guy.”

Having identified what he needs to be wary of, Adesanya will hope to make good on his promise to make Du Plessis’ reign a short one come fight night Down Under.

Continue Reading Israel Adesanya: Dricus Du Plessis’ Past Opponents Have Underestimated His ‘Spirit’ at MMA News.