Israel Adesanya will face Dricus Du Plessis in the main event of UFC 305 tonight, aiming to regain the middleweight title.
Adesanya, a former two-time champion, will aim to take the belt from Du Plessis in the latter’s first title defence, in what is a grudge match in Perth.
After Adesanya dropped the gold to Sean Strickland in a major upset last September, Du Plessis dethroned Strickland in January to become – in his words – the first “real” African UFC champion.
The South African stressed that he meant the first not only to have been born on the continent but also to have trained there throughout his career. However, Nigerian-born Adesanya – who represents New Zealand – took umbrage with that claim. The matter arose again at Thursday’s press conference, as Adesanya burst into tears while calling out Du Plessis.
The pair will settle their grudge tonight, with the middleweight belt on the line in Perth. In the co-main event, flyweight contenders Steve Erceg and Kai Kara-France square off in an Australia vs New Zealand match-up.
Follow live updates and results from the UFC 305 main card and prelims, below:
UFC 305 LIVE: Junior Tafa vs Valter Walker
One more prelim fight! It’s Junior Tafa vs Valter Walker at heavyweight.
Alex Pattle18 August 2024 02:40
UFC 305 LIVE: Josh Culibao vs Ricardo Ramos
Front kick to the body by Culibao. Now a stiff jab. Left hook by Ramos, then a knee to the body. Culibao with some hooks to the body of the Brazilian.
Right hook by Ramos, and Culibao is cut around his left eye! Ramos with a well-timed body-lock takedown, too.
We’ll go to the judges’ scorecards.
Ricardo Ramos def. Josh Culibao via split decision (29-28, 28-29, 29-28)
Culibao will surely regret not pursuing further damage to Ramos’s leg. He could have gotten a finish tonight.
Alex Pattle18 August 2024 02:31
UFC 305 LIVE: Josh Culibao vs Ricardo Ramos
Hard low kicks by Culibao, and Ramos collapses to the mat! Culibao picks his moment then lands a few sporadic punches, but Ramos is largely staying elusive on the ground.
Eventually Culiabo walks off and lets Ramos stand. He tries to rush Ramos while he’s standing, but the referee prevents that.
Back under way. Culibao does a pirouette to mock his opponent. The action is paused again, this time due to an eye poke on Culibao.
We’re soon back under way, though, late in the round.
Alex Pattle18 August 2024 02:25
UFC 305 LIVE: Josh Culibao vs Ricardo Ramos
The featherweights stand orthodox. Both kick low. Australia’s own Culibao tries a left hook, but it’s blocked.
Culibao hurts Ramos with a low kick but gets overzealous with his follow-up strikes! He puts himself off-balance, and Ramos takes his back in a scramble!
They’re on the canvas, with Ramos working on a rear naked choke… Culibao with some desperate defence, but how long can he survive??
He eventually escapes, and looks at the crowd and shakes his head with a smirk!
Alex Pattle18 August 2024 02:18
UFC 305 LIVE: Josh Culibao vs Ricardo Ramos
Back to the men’s featherweight decision next, where Josh Culibao takes on Ricardo Ramos.
Alex Pattle18 August 2024 02:10
UFC 305 LIVE: Casey O’Neill vs Luana Santos
Santos just misses with an overhand right. She blocks a one-two, then walks onto a right hand. Decent jab by Santos.
Crisp striking from O’Neill now. Santos with a trip, but O’Neill reacts well and gets the back! What a counter!
O’Neill tries a rear naked choke, alternating between the submission attempt and punches to the body.
Thirteen seconds left on the clock, and O’Neill so nearly has the choke! But Santos escapes!
Casey O’Neill def. Luana Santos via unanimous decision (30-27, 30-27, 30-26)
Alex Pattle18 August 2024 02:03
UFC 305 LIVE: Casey O’Neill vs Luana Santos
Santos with a body lock and a slick trip early in round two. She has O’Neill kneeling against the fence.
O’Neill stands quickly, but Santos still has her back. Good hand-fighting from O’Neill, who then tries her own trip, before the flyweights separate and move into the open.
Hard jab by O’Neill, who misses with her follow-up right cross. Santos is standing orthodox now… but not for long.
O’Neill ducks under a one-two and gets a body lock. Knees and elbows to Santos against the fence. Santos circles away.
Alex Pattle18 August 2024 01:57
UFC 305 LIVE: Casey O’Neill vs Luana Santos
Santos stands southpaw, while O’Neill is orthodox. Santos tries an overhand from range but just misses. O’Neill then catches a kick and tries a takedown, but Santos defends well.
Santos briefly tries a standing guillotine while driving O’Neill to the fence, but there’s nothing doing, so she gives up on the submission.
Santos does seem decent work grappling O’Neill against the fence, before eventually stepping away. Overhand right from Santos, then a front kick to the body.
Nice one-two from O’Neill, though. Another overhand from Santos, a pair of hooks by O’Neill.
Alex Pattle18 August 2024 01:51
UFC 305 LIVE: Casey O’Neill vs Luana Santos
Next up is a women’s flyweight fight, pitting Casey O’Neill against Luana Santos.
Alex Pattle18 August 2024 01:40
UFC 305 LIVE: Jack Jenkins vs Herbert Burns
Burns with a knee to the cup of Jenkins early in this round. There’s a brief timeout, then we resume, and Jenkins drops Burns again with a leg kick and an overhand right!
Now some hammer fists and punches to the downed Brazilian, but Jenkins soon backs off – deciding to let Burns stand again in this fight.
But Burns elects not to stand! It’s all over! That’s a TKO for Jenkins.
The damage to the lead leg seemed to be the decisive factor there.
Jack Jenkins def. Herbert Burns via third-round TKO (leg kick and punches, 0:48)
Alex Pattle18 August 2024 01:30