Dricus du Plessis vs. Israel Adesanya: Preview, Where to Watch and Betting Odds

Less than a year after telling the world he was taking a hiatus from the game following a loss to Sean Strickland, the two-time middleweight champion is back to contest his old title. Israel Adesanya seeks to wrestle the 185-pound strap he lost to Sean Strickland from Dricus du Plessis, who claimed it from Strickland. Nigerian-born New Zealander Adesanya and South African du Plessis have sparred verbally over the last two years on who is truly the authentic African superstar. The pair fight at UFC 305 in Perth, Australia, in the first title fight between two African-born athletes in the UFC.

MMA: UFC Middleweight Championship

Where to Watch: PPV

Venue: RAC Arena, Perth, Australia

Date: 18.08.2024 07:00

The 30-year-old South African won the UFC middleweight championship last January with a split decision over Sean Strickland. In December 2023, Dricus du Plessis brawled with the then-champion at UFC 296 while both were in the audience. Debuting in the UFC in 2020, Dricus du Plessis, a two-division champion in EFC, is unbeaten in the elite promotion. His UFC résumé includes a TKO over Robert Whittaker and Derek Brunson. The Afrikaner has the most significant strikes landed per minute in the division. Du Plessis competed in kickboxing in his youth, representing South Africa at the WAKO world championships.

• Age: 30
• Height: 6'0"
• Weight: 185lbs (84kg)
• Reach: 76"
• Record: 21-2

He tried to discredit three kings and say he's the real true African champion. It's a weird mindset. He came into UFC, and I knew a little bit who he was. But I didn't go, 'Who the f*** is this fake dude coming in?' I just said, 'Cool, there's another African in the UFC'. But for him to discredit me, Francis Ngannou, Kamaru Usman, that ticked me off a little bit. That's what started this, but again, I'll finish it.

Israel Adesanya

Following a sensational KO of Alex Pereira to reclaim the UFC middleweight title in April 2023, Israel Adesanya put in an uncharacteristic performance against Sean Strickland that saw him lose the title by unanimous decision in September. At 1-2 in his last three, Adesanya announced he was taking a break from MMA. A two-time middleweight champion, "The Last Stylebender", had fought twice with his old kickboxing nemesis Alex Pereira, with both fighters exchanging the title. Just under one year from his last fight, Adesanya is back to contest the 185-pound gold he first won in 2019 and defended five times.

• Age: 34
• Height: 6'4"
• Reach: 80"
• Weight: 185lbs (84kg)
• Record: 24-3

Last time he was embarrassed against Alex Pereira, what did he do? He came back and knocked out Alex 'Poatan' Pereira – the (current) bell of the ball, one of the top pound-for-pound fighters, a two-weight champion, and the biggest star in all mixed martial arts.

Michael Bisping

Israel Adesanya is a 1.72 favorite on Bet365. Total over 3.5 is priced at 1.85 odds on 1xBet, with the under set at 1.9. Dricus du Plessis is a 2.10 underdog to retain his title. Read more.