Former two-time middleweight champion Israel Adesanya will make a return to the octagon this weekend when he battles South African fighter and reigning Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC) middleweight champion Dricus du Plessis in the UFC 305 main card.
Adesanya returns to action for the first time since losing the UFC middleweight title to Sean Strickland at UFC 293 back in September 2023.
The Nigerian overcame Brazilian Alex Pereira at UFC 287 in April 2023 in the third fight of their trilogy to reclaim the middleweight title. Adesanya (24-3), then lost to Strickland by decision after five gruesome rounds.
The 35-year-old will have the opportunity to once again reclaim his position as the apex predator in the division he has ruthlessly dominated over the last few years, and by doing so, he will become the first person in history to hold the middleweight title three times.
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Meanwhile, Du Plessis (21-2), who is unbeaten inside the Octagon, having recorded seven straight wins, makes his first title defence against Adesanya following his victory over Strickland in January.
The 30-year-old earned a split decision over Strickland at UFC 297 earlier in the year to become the first South African to win a UFC championship.
More than a year after their first bout, the two fighters will return to the octagon inside the RAC Arena in Perth, Australia, this Sunday, for a title fight in the 185-pound category.
UFC 305 FIGHT CARD
Main Card
Middleweight: Dricus Du Plessis vs Israel Adesanya
Flyweight: Kai Kara-France vs Steve Erceg
Lightweight: Mateusz Gamrot vs Dan Hooker
Heavyweight: Tai Tuivasa vs Jairzinho Rozenstruik
Welterweight: Li Jingliang vs Carlos Prates
Preliminary Card
Junior Tafa vs Valter Walker
Josh Culibao vs Ricardo Ramos
Casey O’Neill vs Luana Santos
Jack Jenkins vs Herbert Burns
Tom Nolan vs Alex Reyes
Song Kenan vs Ricky Glenn
Stewart Nicoll vs Jesus Aguilar
