Fight fans are eagerly anticipating the middleweight championship showdown between the newly crowned UFC middleweight champion Dricus du Plessis and former two-time UFC middleweight champion Israel Adesanya.
Dricus du Plessis claimed the title after a grueling battle against former champion Sean Strickland at UFC 297 earlier this year. The judges’ decision favored du Plessis, crowning him the new UFC middleweight champion after an intense five-round contest.
Now, du Plessis prepares to defend his championship for the first time against Israel Adesanya at UFC 305. Adesanya, who has been on hiatus since losing his title to Sean Strickland, is eager to reclaim his status as the top middleweight in the UFC.
The tension between du Plessis and Adesanya escalated during a recent UFC 305 pre-sales press conference, where the two champions exchanged verbal jabs and intense stares. When asked about their face-off, du Plessis recounted a terse exchange with Adesanya, where Adesanya humorously cautioned, “Don’t go kissing me,” to which du Plessis retorted, “I’m no dog, so I won’t.”
Adding fuel to the rivalry, du Plessis hinted that a victory over Adesanya could prompt the former champion to consider retirement, suggesting, “I’m glad you took up golf because you know that’s a retirement sport.”
UFC 305 is set to take place on August 17, 2024, at the RAC Arena in Perth, Australia. Alongside the main event featuring du Plessis and Adesanya, the card includes a bantamweight bout between Kai Kara-France and Steve Erceg.
Beyond the octagon, du Plessis has addressed speculation about his personal life, particularly regarding his sexuality. Embracing his authenticity, du Plessis dismissed rumors and affirmed his comfort with his sexuality, stating unequivocally, “I’m completely comfortable with my sexuality. Have you seen my girl?”
As anticipation builds for UFC 305, fans await what promises to be an epic clash between two of the UFC’s most formidable middleweight contenders.
