The UFC middleweight title still runs through South Africa.
Dricus Du Plessis became the first man to defend the middleweight belt in over two years as he conquered one of the greatest middleweights of all time, Israel Adesanya, in the main event of UFC 305.
Du Plessis, who defeated Sean Strickland to claim the belt at UFC 297, sunk in a rear-naked choke in the fourth round to improve his UFC record to 8-0. Six of his eight wins have come by stoppage.
Adesanya dropped his second straight fight, something he has never done in his UFC career. The Nigerian has won eight middleweight title fights but is now just 4-4 in his last eight after rattling off 20 consecutive victories to start his career.
UFC 305 took place at RAC Arena in Perth, Western Australia and the main card aired on ESPN+ pay-per-view.
Take a look at the card’s biggest winners and losers as we predict their next matchups.
Winners
(C) Dricus Du Plessis
Du Plessis once again proved that he belongs among the middleweight elite. His awkward blitzing style may be unappealing to some, but it has proved to be effective as he has finished six of his eight UFC opponents.
Despite looking fatigued early in the second round, “Stillknocks” displayed his relentless pressure and durability by absorbing Adesanya’s body shots and mixing in wrestling, something that Adesanya has not had to deal with in several fights.
Du Plessis ultimately locked in the submission in the fourth round after hurting Adesanya on the feet.
With the victory, Du Plessis has now defeated each of the top three middleweight contenders (Strickland, Adesanya and Robert Whittaker).
UFC president Dana White said this week that a rematch with Strickland would be next for the winner of UFC 305’s main event, so we will take him at his word.
At UFC 297, Strickland fought Du Plessis to a razor-close split decision. He landed more significant strikes than the South African and has since been vocal on social media about wanting to run it back.
Fight to make: Du Plessis vs. Strickland 2
(4) Kai Kara-France
Kara-France, who was a betting underdog in his fight against Steve Erceg, got back in the win column with a first-round knockout, preserving his spot in the flyweight top five.
After dropping a questionable split decision to Amir Albazi, Kara-France’s striking looked sharper than ever against a quality opponent. Erceg was dropped by a left hand early, and despite getting back to his feet, he was unable to fully recover and was soon dropped by another powerful left.
Champion Alexandre Pantoja doesn’t seem to have a definitive opponent for his next title defense. Newcomer Kai Asakura is an option, but a title fight in his first UFC bout may not be realistic. I expect Asakura to be matched up with Albazi in a top-contender fight. In the meantime, this opens the door for Kara-France to get a crack at the champ.
Fight to make: Pantoja vs. Kara-France
(11) Dan Hooker
“The Hangman” showed why he is a fan-favorite in his war against Mateusz Gamrot.
Hooker has delivered some of the most violent lightweight fights in recent history. His barnburners against Dustin Poirier in 2020 and Jalin Turner in 2023 are among the most memorable.
His fight with Gamrot was no different, as it was awarded Fight of the Night honors. Hooker’s takedown defense gave him enough opportunities on the feet to hurt Gamrot. Although the significant strike count was nearly even (65-64), Hooker landed the more damaging blows.
Hooker has already suffered losses to Poirier, Michael Chandler and champion Islam Makhachev, and he is likely still a couple fights away from a title shot. Justin Gaethje, the former BMF champion, would be a fresh matchup for Hooker and a guaranteed bloodbath.
Fight to make: Gaethje vs. Hooker
(12) Jairzinho Rozenstruik
Not many people anticipated the fight between Rozenstruik and Tuivasa to go the distance, but “Bigi Boi” has shown the ability to be patient and pick opponents apart in recent fights.
If you aren’t planning to grapple Rozenstruik and you can’t knock him out in the first round, it may be a long night for you. He outstruck Tuivasa 91-37 and controlled every round of the fight.
His next fight is one that should have been made a long time ago: a date with the Black Beast. Yes, Derrick Lewis has an upcoming fight against Alexander Romanov, but he should be matched up against Rozenstruik regardless of the result. It’s an instant pay-per-view booster.
Fight to make: Lewis vs. Rozenstruik
Losers
(2) Israel Adesanya
Adesanya’s prestigious striking was on display against Du Plessis, but he could not withstand the champion’s persistent wrestling, which ultimately led to him being submitted.
After a year-long break, the former two-time champion fought in his twelfth consecutive title fight. After this loss, it is safe to assume that his streak will be broken the next time he steps in the octagon.
In his post-fight press conference, Adesanya was adamant that he would be back and that he would remain in the middleweight division.
Adesanya will take some time to regroup, but I don’t anticipate that he will take anywhere near as long of a break this time around.
He has beaten most of the top contenders at middleweight, so the predicting his next fight is difficult. Twelfth-ranked Caio Borralho will face No. 5 Jared Cannonier next weekend, and if Borralho wins, he will be a fresh matchup for The Last Stylebender.
Fight to make: Adesanya vs. Borralho
(7) Steve Erceg
Not long ago, Erceg was one round away from taking the flyweight title from Alexandre Pantoja at UFC 301. Now, the Australian finds himself on a two-fight skid.
It isn’t time to panic, though. “Astroboy” proved he belonged among the elite when he battled Pantoja, and he had his moments early against Kara-France. His boxing is among the best in the division, and he has only had five fights in the UFC. He can use this outing as a learning experience.
Erceg has fought up in the rankings and lost twice in a row, so I can see the UFC setting him up with lower-ranked opposition. Matheus Nicolau and Manel Kape are viable options.
Fight to make: Erceg vs. Nicolau
(5) Mateusz Gamrot
Gamrot shouldn’t be too discouraged after this loss. The fight could have gone either way, and the fight may have been his if it didn’t take place in enemy territory.
He has won seven of his ten UFC appearances, and two of his three losses have been by split decision.
Gamrot possesses one of the most well-rounded skillsets in the lightweight division, making him a problem for anyone he faces. His reliance on his wrestling seemed to fatigue him against Hooker, though.
He has fought the majority of the ranked lightweights, and I don’t see him fighting up in the rankings after this loss. A fight between the winner of Benoit Saint Denis and Renato Moicano would make sense, but the UFC might be looking to give rising star Paddy Pimblett an opportunity to break into the top ten.
Fight to make: Gamrot vs. Pimblett
(10) Tai Tuivasa
Unfortunately, Tuivasa is quickly approaching a Tony Ferguson-esque decline.
Most fighters would be on the chopping block after five straight losses, but Tuivasa likely has more slack because of his history of entertaining performances. Entertainment aside, he absolutely needs to win his next fight.
He’ll certainly be fighting down in the rankings, and it is difficult to predict who the UFC might pit against him. Rodrigo Nascimento is a name that comes to mind. He was recently knocked out by Derrick Lewis and does not have a fight on the books.
Fight to make: Tuivasa vs. Nascimento
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