Middleweight champion Dricus Du Plessis fastened his first a success identify protection with victory over quantity 2 contender Israel Adesanya.
UFC middleweight champion Dricus du Plessis submitted former champion Israel Adesanya within the fourth spherical to stock his identify at UFC 305 in Perth, Australia.
Again-to-back proper hooks knocked ill a chickening out Adesanya, with Du Plessis taking him again and sinking within the rear bare choke. Adesanya tapped, preventing the bout 3 mins and 38 seconds into the five-minute spherical on Sunday.
It was once the primary pace Nigerian-Brandnew Zealander Adesanya was once submitted in his skilled MMA occupation, which stands at 24 wins and 4 losses. South Africa’s Du Plessis, who has gained all 8 of his fights since becoming a member of the UFC, improved to 22 wins and two losses.
“I always knew if I’m in trouble fighting one of the, if not the best strikers ever in this division, I need that takedown,” Du Plessis, 30, mentioned then his first identify defence since successful the belt in January.
“This man is the king of getting back up. No one can take him down and keep him there.”
Du Plessis had taken Adesanya ill in the second one spherical and tried to choke him, however the challenger were given again up and ripped into Du Plessis with kicks and punches to the frame within the 3rd spherical.
“Believe me, I do not want to get kicked by that man again,” Du Plessis mentioned. “Izzy, if you decide to retire tonight, thank you.”
Adesanya, who has now misplaced 3 of his endmost 4 fights, mentioned he meant to reserve going.
“I just made a stupid, dumb mistake,” he mentioned. “I’m 35, I’m doing the right things… watch this, I’m not leaving.”
