UFC 305: Dricus du Plessis Submits Israel Adesanya to Retain Middleweight Title

After the fight, the two paid their respects to each other. After a long exchange of words, they embraced and shook hands. Adesanya then raised Du Plessis’ hand to signify victory.

“I was fighting one of, if not the best strikers ever in this division, I needed that takedown. At this level it’s hard to keep people down and this guy is the king of getting back up,” Du Plessis said.

“I said I’d come here to die for this belt and I’m alive now and that’s just a bonus. And I said I’d come here to take a life if I had to. Luckily, we didn’t have to do either of those things. Here I am, still a champion, baby.”

Adesanya, who failed to become the first ever three-time UFC middleweight champion, said he would return despite consecutive defeats for the first time in his MMA career.

“I’m disappointed in myself, but at the same time I’m proud. This is the best I’ve ever felt, the best I’ve ever seen, I just fought the better man that night and I give him respect for that,” Adesanya said.

“I know you all want to see me lose, but look at this: I’m not leaving.”

Earlier on the bill, Scottish-born Australian Casey O’Neill defeated Brazilian Luana Santos by unanimous decision to end a two-fight losing streak.

O’Neill, 26, celebrated by copying Australian breakdancer Rachael Gunn’s routine that she performed at the Paris Olympics.

Gunn, better known as B-girl Raygun, went viral earlier this month during the Games and said the criticism she received over her performance was “devastating.”

Meanwhile, videos have surfaced, external of Georgian bantamweight fighter Merab Dvalishvili confronting a troublemaker during an event in Las Vegas on Friday.

Footage shows Dvalishvili, who will challenge American Sean O’Malley for the title at UFC 306 next month, leaping over the railing, walking up a flight of stairs toward the fan and grabbing his head before being led away by security.