In what is set to be an all-action affair, the UFC is returning down under on Sunday 18th August.
Headlining the card will be new middleweight titleholder Dricus Du Plessis attempting to defend his belt for the first time against two-time former champ Israel Adesanya.
Du Plessis' last fight was earlier this year where he took the middleweight title from Sean Strickland via split decision. Strickland expressed a desire for a rematch, but Du Plessis took his time on the mic post fight to call out Israel Adesanya.
Du Plessis, undefeated with a 7-0 record in UFC and an impressive 21-2 overall record, aims to solidify his position as the top contender in the 185-pound division. A victory would not only establish the 30-year-old South African as a dominant force but also pave the way for exciting new match-ups and opportunities.
Adesanya is on a mission to make history as the first fighter to claim the middleweight title three times. The Nigerian-New Zealander returns to Australia with a score to settle.
The 35-year-old hasn’t fought in the UFC for nearly a year now since he stepped away from the sport after dropping the title to Strickland in September 2023.
Adesanya said he is carrying a “different energy” into fight week and he feels stronger and faster than ever before after rejuvenating from his major break.
This highly anticipated fight is set to be a real arm-wrestle, with a high possibility for the bout to go the distance and be decided by decision. Du Plessis goes into the bout as slight favourite due to his advantages in pressure, tenacity and output.
Adesanya is known for his elite stand-up game, but if Du Plessis can use his pace and cardio to his advantage and possibly even make the fight a grappling contest, then the South African should secure victory.
The co-main event presents exciting Australian flyweight Steve Ercag taking on New Zealand contender Kai Kara-France.
The Perth local will be hoping to bounce back from his latest defeat against flyweight champion Alexandre Pantoja in what was a surprise title fight only a few months ago.
Despite not being in the UFC for long with just four bouts to his name, Ercag will have the support of his home crowd in his corner.
His ability to mix grappling and control the tempo of the fight should see him edge over Kara-France.
Kara-France has been inactive recently due to various concussion injuries, but sees himself on the big stage for the first time since his most recent scrap against Amir Albazi in June 2023 where he lost via split decision.
In what is expected to be a striking battle, Ercag’s better boxer skills should see him claim victory.
Another fighter who is also expected to be well supported by the crowd at Perth Arena is Australian heavyweight Tai Tuivasa.
The 31-year-old, known as “Bam Bam”, hasn't tasted victory since defeating Derrick Lewis in February 2022.
His career has been a series of ups and downs, with three wins to start his UFC journey, followed by three losses, five victories and now four straight defeats.
Despite his inconsistency and poor run of form leaving his career in question, Tuivasa is feeling confident about ending his losing streak when he takes on Surinamese fighter Jairzinho Rozenstruik in what is set to be an explosive affair.
Given both fighters' aggressive fighting style and knockout power, expect there to be a knockout to end this fight.
Due to the context and importance of the fight for Tuivasa and his UFC career with the home crowd by his side, you’d have to back him in to win this bout.
Other Australians featuring in UFC 305 include Junior Tafa (heavyweight), Josh Culibao (featherweight), Casey O’Neill (flyweight) and Jack Jenkins (featherweight) in the preliminary card as well as Tom Nolan (lightweight) and Stewart Nicoll (flyweight) in the early preliminaries.
All the action for UFC 305 can be streamed on Main Event via Kayo Sports and Foxtel on Sunday morning.
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