Middleweight champion Dricus Du Plessis mounted his first profitable title protection with victory over quantity 2 contender Israel Adesanya.

UFC middleweight champion Dricus du Plessis submitted former champion Israel Adesanya within the fourth spherical to retain his title at UFC 305 in Perth, Australia.

Again-to-back proper hooks knocked down a retreating Adesanya, with Du Plessis taking him again and sinking within the rear bare choke. Adesanya tapped, stopping the bout 3 minutes and 38 seconds into the five-minute spherical on Sunday.

It was the primary time Nigerian-New Zealander Adesanya was submitted in his skilled MMA profession, which stands at 24 wins and 4 losses. South Africa’s Du Plessis, who has gained all eight of his fights since becoming a member of the UFC, progressed to 22 wins and two losses.

“I all the time knew if I’m in hassle combating one of many, if not the very best strikers ever on this division, I want that takedown,” Du Plessis, 30, mentioned after his first title defence since profitable the belt in January.

“This man is the king of getting again up. Nobody can take him down and preserve him there.”

Du Plessis had taken Adesanya down within the second spherical and tried to choke him, however the challenger bought again up and ripped into Du Plessis with kicks and punches to the physique within the third spherical.

“Consider me, I don’t wish to get kicked by that man once more,” Du Plessis mentioned. “Izzy, should you resolve to retire tonight, thanks.”

Adesanya, who has now misplaced three of his final 4 fights, mentioned he meant to maintain going.

“I simply made a silly, dumb mistake,” he mentioned. “I’m 35, I’m doing the fitting issues… watch this, I’m not leaving.”