South African Dricus du Plessis defends his UFC middleweight title

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 dropped Adesanya in the fourth round, giving du Plessis the chance he wanted as he quickly applied the chokehold and forced the Nigerian-born New Zealander to submit.

“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.”

Sunday's win at the sold-out RAC Arena in Perth, Australia, was the third time the South African has defeated challengers in the highly competitive middleweight division and the second time this year, following a split decision victory over Sean Strickland at UFC 297 in January.

Adesanya (24-4), 35, was competing for the first time since losing the middleweight title to Strickland by unanimous decision in Sydney last September, but said Sunday's latest setback did not mean the end of his career.

“I've never felt so good. I'm 35 and I'm doing the right thing. I'm not going… to leave,” he said.

Previously, local hero Steve Erceg was defeated by first-round technical knockout in his flyweight bout against New Zealander Kai Kara-France. It was Erceg's first fight since he was defeated by champion Alexandre Pantoja by unanimous decision at UFC 301 in Brazil in May.