Dricus Du Plessis retains middleweight title by submitting Israel Adesanya

Saturday’s UFC 305 had a specific theme. It felt like it was the battle for African supremacy as you had two proud champions from Africa squaring off for the middleweight belt. Du Plessis (22-2 MMA, 8-0 UFC) had to overcome adversity to retain his belt, as Adesanya (24-4 MMA, 13-4 UFC) demonstrated great striking ability before a left hook in the fourth round changed the outcome of the fight.

It was a strong duel between UFC’s best middleweights. It was Du Plesis explosive takedowns against Adesanya bodywork and counterpunching. The win for Du Plesis came when Du Plessis quickly transitioned to the former champion's back and sank in a rear-naked choke to get the submission at the 3:38 mark.

The fight had more on the line than a world title as Adesanya and Du Plessis had been engaged in a war of words for over a year regarding who the first "real" African champion was. The rivalry became a battle of heritage once Du Plessis disregarded previous African-born UFC champions Adesanya, Kamaru Usman and Francis Ngannou, stating that he was the first champion born, raised and currently residing on the continent.

After the fight Du Plesis was remorseful and exchanged a native jacket as a sign of respect for his fellow African opponent. "I'm really sorry that it came across that I disrespected the fact that he's from Africa," Du Plessis, 30, said afterward. "That was never my intention. Africa would have won regardless, but tonight South Africa was the victor. It was an honor for me to share this cage with a legend, and I have the utmost respect for him."

The win was Du Plesis 10th straight win. After the fight UFC President Dana White said Sean Strickland earned the winner of the bout. Du Plesis. Either way there would have been a rematch as Strickland fought both. Du Plesis welcomes the rematch as he stated he wants to be the best middleweight of all time.

As for Adesanya, who suffered the first submission loss of his MMA career, there were questions surrounding his future if he fell short in his attempt to retain the title, but he had a message following the loss. "I'm not f---ing leaving," he said