MMA Preview – Dricus du Plessis vs Israel Adesanya at UFC 305
Click here for today’s sports betting tips from our expert analysts!
DRICUS DU PLESSIS VS ISRAEL ADESANYA FACTS
When is UFC 305? UK – the early preliminary card starts on Saturday 17th August at 11:30pm, the preliminary card at 1:00am on Sunday, followed by the main card at 3:00am / USA – 6:30pm/8:00pm/10:00pm ET and 3:30pm/5:00pm/7:00pm PT (both Saturday 17th August)
Where is UFC 305? RAC Arena, Perth, Australia
Where can I get tickets for UFC 305? Click here for the latest ticket information for UFC 305
What TV channel is UFC 305 on? UK – TNT Sports 1 / USA – ESPN & ESPN+
Where can I stream UFC 305? UK – TNT Sports subscribers can stream the fight online via the TNT Sports website and Discovery+ / USA – ESPN+ * UFC Fight Pass
For viewers in the United States, UFC 305 will be shown live on ESPN+ and you can sign up for access as part of a Disney Bundle here!
DRICUS DU PLESSIS VS ISRAEL ADESANYA LOWDOWN
South African star Dricus du Plessis (21-2) makes his first title defence since he beat Sean Strickland back in January at UFC 297. He has been angling for a fight with Adesanya for some time and there is plenty of animosity between the pair. This has largely developed due to DDP hitting a nerve about African heritage and emotions spilled over once again in the press conference on Friday.
DDP is clearly attempting to unsettled his opponent and the South African is doing a good job at that. He will however have to back it up, something he has managed to do in so many of his fights. While his mouth may distract, his record should not and he has an impressive resume which is developing all the time.
That said, his resume does not possess the same calibre of opponent as Israel Adesanya (24-3). The two-time middleweight champion has an insane list of names on his record and despite losing the belt in his last fight to Strickland, has shown his ability to fightback time and again.
DRICUS DU PLESSIS VS ISRAEL ADESANYA PREDICTION
So much talk has been made over Alex Pereira and how good and scary he is right now. Adesanya’s last win was against him when he avenged a TKO of his own, to knock Pereira out in the second round in April, 2023.
That should not be forgotten, nor how good Adesanya really is.
This fight is not as simple as Adesanya losing to Strickland on points and DDP beating Strickland that way, so DDP wins this. Adesanya is fired up more than ever and that will likely bring the best out of him. Just as we saw in the Pereira rematch. We favour Adesanya to win the belt back here in what should be an absolute thriller, and potentially going all five rounds.
PREDICTION: Israel Adesanya to win
