UFC 305 Main Event Best Bets
In the UFC there are grudge matches, and then there is what we have this weekend between the middleweight champion and the former ruler of the division. Not often do these types of fights live up to the bad blood leading into them, but I would be stunned if this does not deliver on the entertainment level. Read more UFC 305 main event best bets.
Champion, Dricus Du Plessis, looks to defend his title for the first time after winning it back in January against Sean Strickland.
Former middleweight king, Israel Adesanya, intends to show that the year away from action was exactly what he needed to tap into his winning ways again.
Will the aggressive South African turn away his foe? Or will the New Zealander prove that his striking style is far superior and regain his title? Read on to see how these dynamic middleweights match up and who will come away with the 185lb strap on Saturday night.
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Dricus Du Plessis
Since joining the UFC in late 2020, it seems like everyone and their mother has been trying to fade Du Plessis to no avail. Surprisingly, he was only an underdog in his fight to Robert Whittaker, which he ended emphatically to earn his title shot. Du Plessis last tasted defeat against a very popular and talented European fighter back in late 2018.
After that, he has known nothing but victory and proving doubters wrong the entire way. Although his victory over Strickland was a split decision, he still did enough to win the fight and earn the title.
Many, including myself, would harp on the fact that Du Plessis will surely come up short against someone that can push him into the last round and take advantage of his cardio issues.
There was no real evidence that Du Plessis slows down, even in fights he ends up winning he may look sloppy doing so but still carries the threat to get the win.
Nobody thought he could win a fight by decision, but he now has two UFC decision wins, the last one being the most important that earned him the middleweight title. Du Plessis largely leans on his explosivity, knockout threat, and aggressive forward movement. The last trait I just laid out was what you could lean on most as to why he deserved the win over Strickland. He may not do things the cleanest, technique-wise, but he gets the job done and that’s what matters at the end of the day.
Israel Adesanya
We may never see a champion that was as active as Israel Adesanya from 2020 to 2023. He managed to rattle off 9 fights in the span of 3.5 years AS A CHAMPION. Just for reference, the undisputed heavyweight title has only been put on the line twice in that amount of time.
Adesanya most recently came up short against Sean Strickland. That fight was meant to be a routine title defense for Adesanya to stay active. That was supposed to give Du Plessis enough time to heal so the grudge match could take place earlier this year, but the MMA gods had other plans.
Adesanya took that loss to Strickland as a sign to slow things down and take a little time off. Luckily for him, he still has enough respect amongst the UFC brass and fan base that not many are questioning his chance to immediately fight for the title upon his return.
Feints. Traps. Distance management. It is all the little things with Adesanya that make him so effective in the cage. He throws many signals out there to his opponent in the form of feints to keep their minds occupied.
He attacks the leg consistently then, all of a sudden, switches up his target and aims for the head. Measuring distance with his lead hand, he usually has a great sense of how far his opponent is and when the right time will be to let his strike go to land with maximum effect.
Grappling is where fighters feel they can try to take advantage of him. But his understanding of the basics of takedown defense have aided him in being able to keep fights standing long enough that he can wipe away any grappling success his opponents may come across. Turning 35 earlier this year, it’s obvious Adesanya’s time at the top will be coming to an end soon. This weekend could be a revitalizing performance for him to get back on track.
The Pick
The odds for this fight have been close since drop, getting no higher than Adesanya -13. Now it’s down to a pick ‘em. To get Adesanya at this kind of price is normally unheard of. But that’s what losing the way he lost to Strickland will do to your perception amongst bettors.
I still feel Adesanya is far superior to Du Plessis. I think his ability to set traps and counter Du Plessis will be the x-factor. Calf kicks could be a part of the game plan for Adesanya to slow Du Plessis down. These kicks could eventually line up the shot on the feet to put him away. Du Plessis has had a commendable run on his way to the top, but I think his reign as the champion will be short-lived.
