Dricus du Plessis has submitted Israel Adesanya in the fourth round at UFC 305 to defend his middleweight title and add a decisive new chapter to their intense rivalry.
The South African executed a rear naked choke to take the win after rocking the ‘Style Bender’ with a left hook and a series of rights before taking him down.
The victory in Perth, Western Australia on Sunday (local time) came after du Plessis played a part in driving Adesanya to break down in tears and storm off the stage when he was asked about his family during their pre-fight press conference on Friday.
Du Plessis’s long rivalry with Nigerian-born Adesanya has seen them take shots at each other for years.
Both fighters have been battling each other for the ‘real African’ title for some time, after du Plessis claimed to be the first champion from the continent.
The statement infuriated Adesanya – who now represents New Zealand in the octagon – as well as Kamaru Usman, the former UFC welterweight champion.
However, the rivals were full of praise for each other after the fight was decided.
The decisive moment: Du Plessis (left) puts on the choke that saw him defend his middleweight title and get the upper hand in his bitter rivalry with Israel Adesanya (right)
The South African scored with a right hook to the head and then had no trouble taking Adesanya down and putting on the submission that ended it all
They’d spent years throwing barbs at each other but the two African-born fighters were full of praise for each other at the end of the bout
‘This man is the king of getting back up,’ du Plessis said of Adesanya, who was bidding to become a middleweight champion for the third time.
‘I’m still alive, that’s a bonus.
‘I came here to die for this belt and to take a life. I’m still champion, baby.’
Du Plessis said it was an honour to ‘share the octagon with a legend’ and added: ‘This man has done so much for this sport and I’m really sorry it came across that I disrespected that he is from Africa.
‘It wasn’t my intention.’
Adesanya said: ‘I always knew he was going to be tough, so that’s no surprise.
‘This is the best I’ve ever felt and the best I’ve ever looked but I just fought the best man on the night.’
He blamed the defeat – the first by submission in his stellar career – on a shocking error, saying, ‘I was quite strong in there. I felt able to resist his takedowns.
‘I just made a stupid, dumb mistake on the ground.’
He then had a message for any fans or experts who believe he could retire after losing three of his last four bouts: ‘I’m not f**king leaving.’
During their press conference on Friday, tension rose when Adesanya was asked whether he would visit Africa in the near future, and the fighter confidently responded that he is planning to take his belt to Nigeria and South Africa.
Du Plessis emerged with the question: ‘Are you taking the servants with you when you’re going back?’ suggesting that the New Zealander grew up rich.
Adesanya exploded and asked: What the f*** are you even on about?
‘You don’t even know anything about my story. You have no idea who the f*** I am.’
Du Plessis retained his middleweight belt in emphatic fashion after getting into his opponent’s head in the lead-up to the bout
Nigerian-born Adesanya broke down in tears in Friday’s pre-fight press conference (pictured) when Du Plessis made a remark about his background
It was followed by a question to ‘The Last Stylebender’ from the crowd regarding the tension between the fighters.
Breaking into tears, he pointed to his family and said: ‘He touched a subject there because I do this for the family.
‘I do this for the people I love, and I will fight for you forever, I swear to God.’
The 35-year-old once again mocked his opponent after recognising his love for his fans.
‘I feel the love from the crowd. First time I fought here [UFC] 221, that was February 2018, that was me making my dream come true.
‘Sunday, I’m going to f***ing kill your dreams, b***h, I’m going to kill your dreams.’ said Adesanya before walking off the stage as the press conference ended.
The pair didn’t touch gloves to start the bout, given their animosity.
Adesanya landed a series of powerful kicks in the opening round, but du Plessis worked his way back with some damaging jabs.
Du Plessis offered his glove at the end of the round, but Adesanya turned away.
Du Plessis is seen consoling Adesanya just after his rear naked choke ended the bout
The ‘Stylebender’ (left) had several good passages in the fight, surviving an attempted choke in round two and often scoring with punches and kicks
Adesanya was taken down early in the second round as du Plessis attempted to choke his rival into submission.
The New Zealander was able to wriggle his way out of trouble before landing a series of powerful blows.
Round three was a slugfest as both fighters launched desperate bids to land a knockout blow.
A reverse elbow from Adesanya got the crowd going, but du Plessis was able to reply with a series of huge punches.
Du Plessis’ accuracy with his punches in the fourth round opened the door for him to take Adesanya to ground again and finish the job.
