Israel Adesanya will aim to reclaim the middleweight title at UFC 305 when he takes on current champion and bitter rival Dricus Du Plessis. Adesanya, who has not fought since losing his belt to Sean Strickland at UFC 293, has won eight middleweight title fights. Du Plessis, who is undefeated in the promotion, defeated Strickland at UFC 297 to claim the 185-pound title.

The co-main event features New Zealand’s Kai Kara-France and Australia’s Steve Erceg in a battle of top-ranked flyweights. A win for either would vault them into the title conversation.

Other main card action includes a lightweight clash between Mateusz Gamrot and Dan Hooker, while heavyweight fan favorite. Tai Tuivasa will look to get back on track against Suriname’s Jairzinho Rozenstruik. Welterweights Li Jingliang and Carlos Prates will open the main card.

Li Jingliang (19-8) vs. Carlos Prates (19-6)

Li’s last appearance in the octagon came nearly two years ago at UFC 278, where he lost a split decision to Daniel Rodriguez. He was slated to fight Michael Chiesa at UFC 287 but was forced to withdraw due to a spinal injury he sustained during camp. On the other side, Prates has finished 15 of his 19 wins by KO/TKO, including knockouts his first two UFC appearances. Li has proven to be durable throughout his career, as he has never lost a fight by KO/TKO in the UFC. I expect him to weather the storm, but the younger Prates should do enough to earn the victory.

Prediction: Prates via Unanimous Decision

10 Tai Tuivasa (15-7) vs. 12 Jairzinho Rozenstruik (14-5)

Tuivasa’s career could look completely different right now. A knockout victory over Derrick Lewis earned him a date in Paris with Ciryl Gane, where he knocked Gane down in the second round but was unable to finish the fight. He was eventually finished in the fourth round. Including his loss to Gane, Tuivasa has lost four consecutive fights, all of them finishes. Rozenstruik is fresh off an impressive performance against Shamil Gaziev and has won two of his last three fights. I think Rozenstruik has better cardio and a better fight IQ than Tuivasa and will not be drawn into a brawl in the first minute of the fight. He should capitalize on this opportunity and build on his momentum. If Tuivasa drops a fifth straight fight in front of his home fans, he will have to go back to the drawing board.

Prediction: Rozenstruik via KO/TKO, Round 2

5 Mateusz Gamrot (24-2) vs. 11 Dan Hooker (23-12)

Gamrot has quietly built one of the best resumés in the lightweight division, winning seven of his last eight fights. His most notable win came in a five-round main event against Arman Tsarukyan, who is expected to challenge Islam Makhachev for the title. Hooker has won two in a row but has lost four of his last seven. His most recent win came in a razor-close fight against Jalin Turner. I anticipate Gamrot will utilize his wrestling advantage here, but Hooker is as durable as they come.

Prediction: Gamrot via Unanimous Decision

4 Kai Kara-France (24-11) vs. 7 Steve Erceg (12-2)

Erceg is only four fights into his UFC career, but he has already exceeded expectations. He fought champion Alexandre Pantoja to a close decision in Brazil at UFC 301, where many people expected Pantoja to cruise to an easy win. Kara-France, who has suffered consecutive losses, hasn’t stepped in the octagon in over a year. But he looked sharp in his last against Amir Albazi despite losing a questionable split decision. This could be the fight of the night, and it could go either way, but I’ll give the edge to Erceg because of how well-rounded he looked against the champion.

Prediction: Erceg via Split Decision

C Dricus Du Plessis (21-2) vs. 2 Israel Adesanya (24-3)

Du Plessis has been doubted his entire UFC career. His cardio was criticized and he didn’t seem to have a style that would translate against the best in the world. Time and again, he has proven the naysayers wrong, most notably by finishing Robert Whittaker and outlasting Sean Strickland. But Israel Adesanya is his toughest test to date. The two-time chanpion’s length, technicality and takedown defense leave few holes for Du Plessis to exploit. Plus, Adesanya is visibly motivated and emotionally engaged, which didn’t seem to be the case against Strickland. I’m sensing an Izzy masterclass.

Prediction: Adesanya by KO/TKO, Round 2