Tag: UFC 305

Li Jingliang Set For Long-Awaited Return At UFC 305 In Perth On August 17

“The Leech” is back, with fan-favorite welterweight Li Jingliang set to make the walk for the first time in almost two years at UFC 305. Jingliang hasn’t appeared inside the Octagon since falling short in a widely debated split decision opposite Daniel Rodriguez on the shaken-up UFC 279 card back in September 2022. The Chinese […]

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“The Leech” is back, with fan-favorite welterweight Li Jingliang set to make the walk for the first time in almost two years at UFC 305.

Jingliang hasn’t appeared inside the Octagon since falling short in a widely debated split decision opposite Daniel Rodriguez on the shaken-up UFC 279 card back in September 2022.

The Chinese fighter was scheduled to meet Tony Ferguson, but the changes brought about by Khamzat Chimaev’s weight miss saw him face an opponent who weighed in 10 pounds heavier in “D-Rod.”

That, along with his personality being more and more on display, saw Jingliang’s fanbase increase. Unfortunately, he’s not been able to capitalize on that with a return to the Octagon after suffering a spine injury.

Now, as first reported by UFC Weibo and confirmed by Eurosport Nederland’s Marcel Dorff, “The Leech” is finally ready to make his comeback at the upcoming UFC 305 pay-per-view in Perth, Australia, on August 17, where he’s slated to face the charging Carlos Prates.

Jingliang Out For Bounce-Back Win Against Prates At UFC 305

When Jingliang and Prates do battle Down Under, the former will be looking to return to winning ways at the expense of the fast-rising Brazilian.

Jingliang (19-8) has exchanged victories and losses since moving to a three-fight win streak in 2019. While he fell to defeats at the hands of Khamzat Chimaev and Rodriguez, he sandwiched brutal knockouts of Santiago Ponzinibbio and Muslim Salikhov between them.

If he’s to continue that trend of bouncing back, the Chinese 36-year-old must blemish the UFC record of Prates (19-6). After an emphatic performance on Dana White’s Contender Series to earn a spot on the roster, “The Nightmare” has enhanced his stock with consecutive first-round knockouts of Trevin Giles and Charles Radtke to announce his arrival.

With this addition, the current fights expected to take place at UFC 305 in Perth on August 17 are as follows:

  • Dricus Du Plessis (C) vs. Israel Adesanya (middleweight championship main event)
  • Kai Kara-France vs. Steve Erceg (flyweight)
  • Tai Tuivasa vs. Jairzinho Rozenstruik (heavyweight)
  • Joshua Culibao vs. Ricardo Ramos (featherweight)
  • Li Jingliang vs. Carlos Prates (welterweight)
  • Casey O’Neill vs. Tereza Bledá (women’s flyweight)
  • Jacob Malkoun vs. Gerald Meerschaert (middleweight)
  • Junior Tafa vs. Valter Walker (heavyweight)
  • Jack Jenkins vs. Gavin Tucker (featherweight)
  • Tom Nolan vs. Alex Reyes (lightweight)
Image: DWCS/Zuffa LLC

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UFC 305 On-Sale Press Conference Highlights: Dricus Du Plessis & Israel Adesanya Have Tense Faceoff In Perth

The top fighters confirmed to be in action at UFC 305 on August 17 took to the stage for an on-sale press conference in the event’s host city this week. Mixed martial arts’ leading promotion will return to Perth next month for the first time since last February. On that occasion, the RAC Arena played […]

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The top fighters confirmed to be in action at UFC 305 on August 17 took to the stage for an on-sale press conference in the event’s host city this week.

Mixed martial arts’ leading promotion will return to Perth next month for the first time since last February. On that occasion, the RAC Arena played host to local favorite Alexander Volkanovski’s competitive lightweight title challenge against Islam Makhachev.

This time around, the venue will mark the location for the long-awaited comeback of another standout from the Oceanic region, former two-time UFC middleweight champion Israel Adesanya.

Having not competed since his second reign came to a sudden end at the hands of Sean Strickland in Sydney last September, “The Last Stylebender” will look to return to the throne at the expense of rival Dricus Du Plessis, who unseated Strickland at UFC 297 in Toronto this past January.

Also on the lineup is a teammate of Adesanya’s in Kai Kara-France. With concussion issues keeping him out of a fight close to home 10 months ago and leaving him without Octagon action since a narrow loss to Amir Albazi last May, “Don’t Blink” will look to reinsert his name into the title conversation at flyweight.

He likely won’t have the backing of the crowd on August 17, however, as he goes up against Perth’s own Steve Erceg. The contest will mark “Astroboy’s” first since falling short of Alexandre Pantoja’s 125-pound gold at UFC 301 in Rio de Janeiro a couple of months ago.

With Fight Club Pre-Sale starting on Tuesday, the promotion hosted a press conference in Perth, where Du Plessis, Adesanya, Kara-France, and Erceg all had mics in hand.

See below for a full replay of the presser, followed by all the highlights and one of the longest, most intense faceoffs in recent memory between the two UFC 305 headliners.

UFC 305 Press Conference Replay

UFC 305 Press Conference Highlights

UFC 305 Press Conference Faceoff

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Alex Pereira offers to fight at UFC 305 in stunning August return after huge win at UFC 303: ‘This guy is crazy’

Alex Pereira calls for UFC 305 return in August after huge win at UFC 303 this guy is crazyOff the back of his blistering knockout win over former champion, Jiri Prochazka at UFC 303 over the course…

Alex Pereira calls for UFC 305 return in August after huge win at UFC 303 this guy is crazy

Off the back of his blistering knockout win over former champion, Jiri Prochazka at UFC 303 over the course of last weekend, undisputed light heavyweight kingpin, Alex Pereira has already staked his claim for a fight in just two months time at UFC 305 in Perth, Australia.

Pereira, the current undisputed light heavyweight champion and a former undisputed middleweight gold holder, turned in a second career victory over the above-mentioned, Prochazka last weekend – felling the Czech Republic finisher with an hellacious second round high-kick knockout. 

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Alex Pereira already planning return at UFC 305 in Australia

And already returning to sparring in Danbury, Connecticut just two days after his stunning victory at UFC 303 – Pereira, who received a special $303,000 post-fight bonus for his win at UFC 303, is already planning a return in just two months time, according to his head coach.

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“Alex Pereira is definitely fighting in the second semester of 2024, 100 percent,” Plinio Cruz told MMA Fighting. “The next few months, they’re going to come up with something – this guy’s crazy, maybe that’s why he trained [two days after UFC 303]. He said, ‘Listen, this is my second sparring for my camp for Perth, I want to fight on that card.’ I said, ‘No, no, no. Pump the brakes a little bit. I wouldn’t be surprised [if Alex Pereira fights at UFC 305]. He’s crazy, bro – maybe, you never know.” 

Already having a set headliner, UFC 305 is slated to be topped by an undisputed middleweight title fight – with the incumbent, Dricus du Plessis, taking on the returning former two-time champion, Israel Adesanya – who received flak on social media for his nonchalant reaction to arch-rival, Pereira’s knockout win over Prochazka during International Fight Week,

Alex Pereira calls for heavyweight move after huge knockout win at UFC 303 I think that it's in my future

In terms of potential opponents for Pereira next, the Sao Paulo finisher has staked his claim for a long-anticipated heavyweight climb, and has received callouts from the likes of surging contender, Magomed Ankalaev – while former foe, Jan Blachowicz also claimed to have the counter to the Brazilian’s apparent “magic”.

Who would you like Alex Pereira to fight next after his victory at UFC 303?

Kai Kara-France vs. Steve Erceg Added To Perth-Held UFC 305 On August 17

It’ll be Oceania vs. Oceania in Oceania when former flyweight title challengers Kai Kara-France and Steve Erceg share the Octagon at UFC 305 on August 17. Mixed martial arts’ leading promotion is set to be back on Australian soil later this summer, where Perth’s RAC Arena will play host to an event for the first time […]

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It’ll be Oceania vs. Oceania in Oceania when former flyweight title challengers Kai Kara-France and Steve Erceg share the Octagon at UFC 305 on August 17.

Mixed martial arts’ leading promotion is set to be back on Australian soil later this summer, where Perth’s RAC Arena will play host to an event for the first time since Islam Makhachev and Alexander Volkanovski’s memorable five-round battle last February.

Topping the lineup this time will be UFC Middleweight Champion Dricus Du Plessis and divisional legend Israel Adesanya. And the Nigerian-New Zealander won’t be the only fighter from that region competing close to home.

As well as the likes of Joshua Culibao and Jack Jenkins, New Zealand’s Kara-France is set to meet Australia’s Erceg in a key bout in the context of the flyweight division. 

The fight was announced by the promotion, while Kara-France himself discussed his long-awaited comeback at UFC 305 in an interview with Christopher Reive for the New Zealand Herald.

Kara-France, Erceg Target Bounce-Back Win At UFC 305

When the #4-ranked Kara-France and #9-ranked Erceg throw down in Perth in less than two months’ time, both will be looking for a crucial rebound performance.

Kara-France (24-11, 1 NC) hasn’t been in action since June 2023 when he suffered a narrow main event decision loss to Amir Albazi at the Apex in Las Vegas. The result sent “Don’t Blink” onto the first losing skid of his UFC career, having followed an interim title defeat opposite Brandon Moreno 11 months prior at UFC 277 in Dallas.

If the New Zealander is to taste victory for the first time since his win over Askar Askrav 27 months ago, he must stall the charge of Erceg (12-2) and his pursuit of a rematch with reigning champion Alexandre Pantoja. The Aussie battled “The Cannibal” in the main event of UFC 301 in Brazil this past May, an opportunity that came off the back of three quick wins following his arrival in the promotion.

Despite a valiant attempt in Rio de Janeiro, “AstroBoy” was ultimately unable to unseat the champ. After expressing his desire to bounce back on home soil this August, Erceg has had his wish granted, and he’ll now look to return to the win column at the expense of Kara-France.

Image: Jason Silva/USA TODAY Sports

Continue Reading Kai Kara-France vs. Steve Erceg Added To Perth-Held UFC 305 On August 17 at MMA News.

Kai Kara-France vs. Steve Erceg Added To Perth-Held UFC 305 On August 17

It’ll be Oceania vs. Oceania in Oceania when former flyweight title challengers Kai Kara-France and Steve Erceg share the Octagon at UFC 305 on August 17. Mixed martial arts’ leading promotion is set to be back on Australian soil later this summer, where Perth’s RAC Arena will play host to an event for the first time […]

Continue Reading Kai Kara-France vs. Steve Erceg Added To Perth-Held UFC 305 On August 17 at MMA News.

It’ll be Oceania vs. Oceania in Oceania when former flyweight title challengers Kai Kara-France and Steve Erceg share the Octagon at UFC 305 on August 17.

Mixed martial arts’ leading promotion is set to be back on Australian soil later this summer, where Perth’s RAC Arena will play host to an event for the first time since Islam Makhachev and Alexander Volkanovski’s memorable five-round battle last February.

Topping the lineup this time will be UFC Middleweight Champion Dricus Du Plessis and divisional legend Israel Adesanya. And the Nigerian-New Zealander won’t be the only fighter from that region competing close to home.

As well as the likes of Joshua Culibao and Jack Jenkins, New Zealand’s Kara-France is set to meet Australia’s Erceg in a key bout in the context of the flyweight division. 

The fight was announced by the promotion, while Kara-France himself discussed his long-awaited comeback at UFC 305 in an interview with Christopher Reive for the New Zealand Herald.

Kara-France, Erceg Target Bounce-Back Win At UFC 305

When the #4-ranked Kara-France and #9-ranked Erceg throw down in Perth in less than two months’ time, both will be looking for a crucial rebound performance.

Kara-France (24-11, 1 NC) hasn’t been in action since June 2023 when he suffered a narrow main event decision loss to Amir Albazi at the Apex in Las Vegas. The result sent “Don’t Blink” onto the first losing skid of his UFC career, having followed an interim title defeat opposite Brandon Moreno 11 months prior at UFC 277 in Dallas.

If the New Zealander is to taste victory for the first time since his win over Askar Askrav 27 months ago, he must stall the charge of Erceg (12-2) and his pursuit of a rematch with reigning champion Alexandre Pantoja. The Aussie battled “The Cannibal” in the main event of UFC 301 in Brazil this past May, an opportunity that came off the back of three quick wins following his arrival in the promotion.

Despite a valiant attempt in Rio de Janeiro, “AstroBoy” was ultimately unable to unseat the champ. After expressing his desire to bounce back on home soil this August, Erceg has had his wish granted, and he’ll now look to return to the win column at the expense of Kara-France.

Image: Jason Silva/USA TODAY Sports

Continue Reading Kai Kara-France vs. Steve Erceg Added To Perth-Held UFC 305 On August 17 at MMA News.

Dricus Du Plessis claims win over Israel Adesanya puts him in GOAT debate: ‘This is where I take over’

Dricus du Plessis claims win over Israel Adesanya enters him into GOAT debateUFC middleweight champion Dricus Du Plessis thinks a win over Israel Adesanya will put him into the GOAT conversation…

Dricus du Plessis claims win over Israel Adesanya enters him into GOAT debate

UFC middleweight champion Dricus Du Plessis thinks a win over Israel Adesanya will put him into the GOAT conversation at middleweight.

Du Plessis is undefeated in the UFC and coming off a decision win over Sean Strickland to win the middleweight title. Heading into his first title defense at UFC 305 in Australia against Adesanya, he believes a win over the former champ will help cement his legacy as an all-time great.

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“I’ve always looked at Israel Adesanya as the benchmark,” Du Plessis told Fox West Texas. “Now, ‘Izzy’ became a champion a long time ago, and I’ve looked at him and always knew this is where I need to be if I ever want to be the best in the world. This is the benchmark.

“He is one of the greatest to ever do it, and this fight for me is going to put me in that position. This is where I take over as one of the greatest to ever do it. This is where my years of building and climbing that ladder is going to a point where I am now the guy that’s one of the greatest to ever do it.”

Dricus du Plessis taunts Israel Adesanya into UFC title fight be a man of your word and let's do this
Mandatory Credit: Vaughan Ridley

Although Du Plessis believes he can enter the GOAT conversation with a win over Adesanya, the South African will need several more title defenses to be considered the 185lbs GOAT due to the reign of Anderson Silva. But, beating Adesanya no doubt puts him on the right track.

Dricus Du Plessis says Israel Adesanya will prove he belongs

Although Dricus Du Plessis enters his UFC 305 fight as the middleweight champion, he knows people are overlooking him and counting him out.

With that, Dricus Du Plessis says his fight will prove to everyone just how good he is and prove he is the legit champion.

“He’s a very smart fighter,” du Plessis said on Adesanya. “He figures out his opponents, and he sets a lot of traps. He does it incredibly well. So, for me, this fight is just like how beating Robert Whittaker was. It’s a fight that people don’t think you’re going to win. It’s a hard fight.

israel adesanya dricus du plessis ufc

“I’m fighting against arguably one of the greatest middleweights ever, and I have to go out there and prove that I am that guy. That’s what this fight is going to mean to me. It’s going to mean I told you I belong here. This fight is going to mean that Dricus du Plessis is now in the conversation of being one of the greatest middleweights ever,” Du Plessis said.

Du Plessis is 21-2 as a pro and is coming off a split decision win over Sean Strickland to become the middleweight champion. He’s 7-0 in the UFC and has notable wins over Robert Whittaker, Darren Till, Derek Brunson, and Brad Tavares.