Tag: UFC 305

Rising UFC Middleweight Contender Predicts UFC 305: Du Plessis vs Adesanya: ‘The Two Styles Don’t Match At All…’

One of the biggest fights of the year goes down this weekend at UFC 305 when Dricus Du Plessis looks to defend the middleweight title against Israel Adesanya. The two men have been on a collision course with one another for some time now, with all roads eventually leading to Perth, Australia on August 17. […]

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One of the biggest fights of the year goes down this weekend at UFC 305 when Dricus Du Plessis looks to defend the middleweight title against Israel Adesanya.

The two men have been on a collision course with one another for some time now, with all roads eventually leading to Perth, Australia on August 17.

However, an interesting match-up doesn’t always make for the greatest of fights, especially when you have someone that is as skilled in one area as Adesanya.

The former two-time champion presents a difficult test for Du Plessis who usually relies on his power, aggression and output to get his hand raised. which won’t be easy against the precision striking of “The Last Stylebender”.

One of the division’s most exciting contenders believes that the clash of styles will end up going the way of the challenger.

Caio Borralho Believes That Israel Adesanya Has The Advantage In This Style Match-up

In a recent interview with Kevin Iole, Caio Borralho said that he believes Adesanya’s style will be a perfect counter to the constant forward motion of the champion.

Borralho has gone 6-0 in the middleweight division and will now look to put himself in the title picture when he faces Jared Cannonier in his first main event spotlight.

He sees that unlike what Sean Strickland was able to do against Adesanya in the shock upset at UFC 293 last year, Du Plessis doesn’t have the right style to stop the former champ from reclaiming the top spot.

“I think this time, I think Adesanya is going to win this fight. I think stylistically, the two styles doesn’t match a little, doesn’t match at all. I think Dricus just goes forward, try to punch and push the pace up, but I think Israel Adesanya is going to manage the distance all the time, circle up and kick a lot on Dricus and I think he can win by decision during the fifth round or maybe a good knockout in the third round if Dricus gets tired.”

Read also: Sean Strickland’s Coach Breaks Down Du Plessis vs. Adesanya: ‘You’re Not Gonna Find Many People That Fight Like Him…’

Continue Reading Rising UFC Middleweight Contender Predicts UFC 305: Du Plessis vs Adesanya: ‘The Two Styles Don’t Match At All…’ at MMA News.

Steve Erceg Highlights Biggest Lesson Learned From Alexandre Pantoja Title Loss Ahead Of UFC 305 Return

Having narrowly fallen short of the UFC flyweight title three months ago, Steve Erceg is returning to action with the knowledge that he can compete with the elite of the division. Erceg, who currently occupies the #7 spot at 125 pounds, will be among the home fighters featuring at this weekend’s UFC 305 pay-per-view, which […]

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Having narrowly fallen short of the UFC flyweight title three months ago, Steve Erceg is returning to action with the knowledge that he can compete with the elite of the division.

Erceg, who currently occupies the #7 spot at 125 pounds, will be among the home fighters featuring at this weekend’s UFC 305 pay-per-view, which goes down inside the RAC Arena in Perth, Australia.

“AstroBoy” has been able to make a relatively quick turnaround to compete in his city, returning after emerging from Brazil without the flyweight title in his possession this past May.

The 29-year-old received a surprise title shot after just three fights in the UFC, looking to cash in on favorable circumstances at the expense of champion Alexandre Pantoja in the UFC 301 main event.

While unsuccessful in that endeavor, Erceg had plenty of positives to take away from the five-round defeat, and he’ll carry them into his return against Kai Kara-France on August 17…

Erceg On UFC 301 Loss: ‘I Learned That I Am Near The Top’

During a recent interview with New York Post Sports, Erceg looked ahead to his fifth outing on MMA’s biggest stage and chance to bounce back from his first UFC defeat.

When asked about his opening experience competing with UFC gold on the line, “AstroBoy” spoke of the added confidence he has having proven that he can hang with the best possible opposition in the flyweight division.

“I learned that I am near the top of the division,” Erceg said. “I always believed it, but even though I lost, the fact I was able to go five rounds, I did get up, he didn’t take my back, I was able to land; there was a lot of good things that came out of it.

“Also, obviously, a lot of things that I did wrong or he did well that I have to improve so that next time I get an opportunity like that, I can go there not as a good effort, but as a world champion,” Erceg continued. “That’s probably the biggest things I learned.”

Erceg’s first step toward working his way back toward Pantoja and the gold in “The Cannibal’s” possession comes this weekend.

And with a leading contender in Muhammad Mokaev being removed from the picture after his shock exit from the UFC, “AstroBoy” may not be far from a second shot given the competitive nature of his performance in Rio de Janeiro and the high ranking of his next opponent.

Continue Reading Steve Erceg Highlights Biggest Lesson Learned From Alexandre Pantoja Title Loss Ahead Of UFC 305 Return at MMA News.

UFC Full Fight: Relive Dricus Du Plessis’ Title Win Over Sean Strickland Ahead Of His UFC 305 Defense 

UFC 305 headliner Dricus Du Plessis achieved his title ambitions on mixed martial arts’ biggest stage this past January. The middleweight champion will return in the main event of this weekend’s pay-per-view card at the RAC Arena in Perth, Australia, where he’s tasked with defending his belt in a grudge match against Israel Adesanya. The South African’s […]

Continue Reading UFC Full Fight: Relive Dricus Du Plessis’ Title Win Over Sean Strickland Ahead Of His UFC 305 Defense  at MMA News.

UFC 305 headliner Dricus Du Plessis achieved his title ambitions on mixed martial arts’ biggest stage this past January.

The middleweight champion will return in the main event of this weekend’s pay-per-view card at the RAC Arena in Perth, Australia, where he’s tasked with defending his belt in a grudge match against Israel Adesanya.

The South African’s first chance to extend his reign comes seven months on from his crowning at UFC 297 in Toronto, Canada. He headlined the promotion’s first PPV of 2024 in competition for the 185-pound gold, which was then held by Sean Strickland.

“Stillknocks” brought the American’s divisional rule to a quick end, falling on the right side of a split decision after five rounds of competitive action to rip the title from Strickland’s grasp in his very first defense.

Ahead of Saturday’s event, the promotion has released the full Du Plessis vs. Strickland fight from UFC 297 on its official YouTube channel.

Du Plessis will now look to ensure he achieves a feat that Strickland failed to this year by recording a successful defense. To do so, he must stall Adesanya’s push for a historic three-time title crowning.

The Nigerian-New Zealander will be making his return after losing the belt to Strickland close to a year ago. To regain it, Adesanya has his South African rival’s UFC 0 in his sights.

Continue Reading UFC Full Fight: Relive Dricus Du Plessis’ Title Win Over Sean Strickland Ahead Of His UFC 305 Defense  at MMA News.

Dricus du Plessis Stats: UFC 305 Champion Breakdown

Dricus du Plessis Stats: UFC 305 Championship BreakdownAhead of UFC 305, let’s take a look at some Dricus du Plessis Stats. The UFC world champion has…

Dricus du Plessis Stats: UFC 305 Championship Breakdown

Ahead of UFC 305, let’s take a look at some Dricus du Plessis Stats. The UFC world champion has made a splash in the world of MMA with his impressive win streak cutting through the middleweight division. This weekend, the South African athlete will look to defend his crown against the former middleweight titleholder Israel Adesanya.

Dricus du Plessis Stats

Before making his debut in the UFC, Dricus du Plessis had earned titles in EFC and KSW. Once he started his run through the middleweight division, the South African-born fighter was able to defeat notable opponents such as Derek Brunson, Darren Till, and Robert Whittaker, before capturing the title against Sean Strickland. He competed in Judo and Wrestling when he was young and would add K-1 Kickboxing later to his repertoire.

Dricus du Plessis Stats: He has a significant strike rate of 6.49 per minute with a striking accuracy of 50%. Defensively, he absorbs 4.77 significant strikes per minute while maintaining a significant strike defense rate of 55%. In fact, among all middleweights in UFC history, Dricus Du Plessis holds the record for most significant strikes landed per minute.

In terms of grappling, which is his base, Du Plessis averages 3.00 takedowns per 15 minutes with a takedown accuracy of 51%. However, his takedown defense stands at 40%. Additionally, he attempts an average of 0.8 submissions per 15 minutes, showcasing his capability to threaten opponents with submission holds.

Dricus du Plessis Height and Reach

The 30-year-old Dricus Du Plessis is a switch fighter, he will rotate between southpaw and orthodox stances. Standing at 6 feet 1 inch tall and weighing 185 pounds. That is 1.83 m and 84 kg. More Dricus du Plessis Stats, he has a reach of 76 inches, 193 cm.

Dricus du Plessis Record

Overall in MMA, ‘Stillknocks‘ Dricus du Plessis’ Record is 21-2-0, meaning 21 victories with 2 losses and no draws. In the UFC, he has a perfect record of 7-0. He tends to finish his fight as only two of his wins have gone to decision, while 9 were won by knockout and 10 were won via submission.

dricus du plessis

More Dricus du Plessis Stats:

Where is Dricus Du Plessis from?

Dricus Du Plessis is from South Africa. He was born in Welkom, Orange Free State, South Africa. Today he lives in Hatfield, Pretoria, Gauteng, South Africa.

How Old is Dricus Du Plessis?

Thirty years old.

Dricus du Plessis laughs off Islam Makahchev middleweight threat: 'Everybody can dream'

At UFC 305, upcoming on Saturday, Dricus du Plessis will look to defend his UFC middleweight world title against the Nigerian-Kiwi sharpshooter Israel Adesanya.

Israel Adesanya Reiterates Fury With ‘Privileged’ Dricus Du Plessis’ Comments: ‘Not Like Francis, Who Had To Cross The Desert…’ 

Former two-time UFC middleweight champion Israel Adesanya remains motivated to make Dricus Du Plessis pay for some of his remarks at UFC 305. Having not competed since losing the title in shocking fashion against Sean Strickland last September, Adesanya will make his return to action opposite the man against whom “Tarzan” fell off the throne […]

Continue Reading Israel Adesanya Reiterates Fury With ‘Privileged’ Dricus Du Plessis’ Comments: ‘Not Like Francis, Who Had To Cross The Desert…’  at MMA News.

Former two-time UFC middleweight champion Israel Adesanya remains motivated to make Dricus Du Plessis pay for some of his remarks at UFC 305.

Having not competed since losing the title in shocking fashion against Sean Strickland last September, Adesanya will make his return to action opposite the man against whom “Tarzan” fell off the throne earlier this year.

After an injury to Du Plessis scuppered plans for the pair to collide in Australia 11 months ago, “Stillknocks” and “The Last Stylebender” are now just days away from a battle Down Under, one that the South African will enter as the divisional kingpin.

Du Plessis and Adesanya have long gone back and forth over the former’s remarks about African heritage. In addition to branding himself the “real African” in the UFC in one of his first post-fight interviews, the South African has pointed to his continued stay in the continent as a relevant point compared to the likes of Adesanya and Kamaru Usman.

Adesanya Vows To Show Du Plessis The Error Of His ‘Colonialist’ Mindset

During a recent interview with TMZ Sports, Adesanya looked ahead to his mixed martial arts comeback and further commented on the sensitive topic that built his feud with Du Plessis early last year.

The Nigerian-New Zealander reiterated his frustration with his upcoming opponent’s mindset, pointing to his journey and stories such as that of Francis Ngannou as examples Du Plessis ignored when branding himself the “real African” in the UFC.

“It’s not personal, personal. I just want him to take accountability for his remarks,” Adesanya said. “Dricus is saying, ‘I train in Africa, I do this in Africa,’ and then people like (Abdul) Razak (Alhassan) and myself, who were forced to flee our own country because of better opportunities, he’ll never understand that because he lives behind the f*cking gates of his privileged life in South Africa.

“Not like someone like Francis, who had to cross the desert to go overseas to go train. If you know Francis’ story, you can’t call him not a real African champion because he didn’t train in Africa,” Adesanya continued. “It’s like, bro, are you f*cking kidding? The guy got sent back out to the desert six, seven times to go die and he survived. … We paved the way for him and he comes out there and tries to take it all for himself. I wonder where he got that from? … ‘I see this and want it all for myself.’ … What kind of mindset is that? … That’s a colonialist mindset.”

Adesanya will look to settle his grudge with Du Plessis within the steel surroundings of the Octagon this weekend, when he makes the walk to it for the first time in close to a year.

Should he have his hand raised in Perth, more than just emerging victorious from what appears to be a heated grudge match with the South African, “The Last Stylebender” will achieve a historic three-time crowning.

Continue Reading Israel Adesanya Reiterates Fury With ‘Privileged’ Dricus Du Plessis’ Comments: ‘Not Like Francis, Who Had To Cross The Desert…’  at MMA News.

VIDEO: UFC 305 Countdown Episode Ahead Of Dricus Du Plessis vs. Israel Adesanya

Fight week for the UFC 305 pay-per-view this Saturday night has kicked off with the release of the promotion’s latest Countdown episode. Under the spotlight in this edition is the headliner between Dricus Du Plessis and Israel Adesanya. Saturday’s lineup is topped by a championship rematch, with middleweight kingpin Du Plessis (21-2) looking to add a first […]

Continue Reading VIDEO: UFC 305 Countdown Episode Ahead Of Dricus Du Plessis vs. Israel Adesanya at MMA News.

Fight week for the UFC 305 pay-per-view this Saturday night has kicked off with the release of the promotion’s latest Countdown episode. Under the spotlight in this edition is the headliner between Dricus Du Plessis and Israel Adesanya.

Saturday’s lineup is topped by a championship rematch, with middleweight kingpin Du Plessis (21-2) looking to add a first successful defense to his reign, which got underway with a victory over Sean Strickland at UFC 297 in Toronto, Canada, this past January. He earned that shot with a monumental triumph over the highly regarded Robert Whittaker during last year’s International Fight Week in Las Vegas.

If “Stillknocks” is to continue his rule atop the 185-pound mountain, he must record a victory over the returning Adesanya (24-3). “The Last Stylebender” will be making his comeback 11 months on from losing the middleweight gold in shocking fashion to Strickland in Sydney.

The Nigerian-New Zealander will be back competing on Australian soil once again, with Perth’s RAC Arena potentially hosting his historic crowning as three-time champ should he hand his South African rival the first loss of his career on MMA’s biggest stage.

Ahead of that contest Down Under, fans can catch a preview in the full episode of UFC 305 Countdown on the promotion’s YouTube channel.

UFC 305 Countdown: Full Episode

And below, check out the full card for this weekend’s numbered event.

Main Card:

  • Middleweight Championship Main Event: Dricus Du Plessis (C) vs. Israel Adesanya
  • Flyweight Co-Main Event: Kai Kara-France vs. Steve Erceg
  • Lightweight: Mateusz Gamrot vs. Dan Hooker
  • Heavyweight: Tai Tuivasa vs. Jairzinho Rozenstruik
  • Welterweight: Li Jingliang vs. Carlos Prates

Preliminary Card:

  • Heavyweight: Junior Tafa vs. Valter Walker
  • Featherweight: Joshua Culibao vs. Ricardo Ramos
  • Women’s Flyweight: Casey O’Neill vs. Luana Santos
  • Featherweight: Jack Jenkins vs. Herbert Burns

Early Preliminary Card:

  • Lightweight: Tom Nolan vs. Alex Reyes
  • Welterweight: Song Kenan vs. Rick Glenn
  • Flyweight: Stewart Nicoll vs. Jesus Aguilar

Be sure to keep it right here on MMANews.com this week for all the updates and news on UFC 305!

Continue Reading VIDEO: UFC 305 Countdown Episode Ahead Of Dricus Du Plessis vs. Israel Adesanya at MMA News.