South Africa's Dricus du Plessis defends his middleweight title – Orange County Register

PERTH, Australia – South Africa's Dricus du Plessis endured a series of body shots over four rounds before defeating Israel Adesanya by submission to defend his middleweight title at UFC 305 on Sunday.

After scoring a few takedowns early on, du Plessis (22-2) had to endure a barrage of body blows from Adesanya in the middle rounds, which increasingly bothered the 30-year-old South African as the fight progressed.

But a left hook followed by three rights took Adesanya down, giving du Plessis the opportunity he craved as he quickly applied the chokehold that forced the Nigerian-born New Zealander to give up in the fourth round at 3:38.

“This man is the master of getting back up,” du Plessis said of Adesanya, who was looking to become middleweight champion for the third time. “The fact that I'm still alive is a bonus.”

“I came here to die for this belt and to take a life. I'm still champion, baby.”

Tensions had escalated ahead of Sunday's fight at the sold-out RAC Arena in Perth, Australia, after du Plessis responded to Adesan's statement that he would take the belt with him to Africa if he won by asking him if he would take his servants with him.

Despite the simmering animosity leading up to the fight, which resulted in both fighters avoiding touching each other's gloves at the beginning, there seemed to be a reconciliation between the two immediately after the fight.

“I'm really sorry that it seemed as if I didn't respect the fact that he's from Africa,” Du Plessis said. “That was never my intention. Africa would have won either way, but tonight South Africa were the winners.”