Dricus du Plessis submitted Israel Adesanya in the fourth round at UFC 305 to defend his middleweight title and add a decisive new chapter to their intense rivalry.
The South African executed a rear-naked choke to take the victory after rocking the ‘Style Bender’ with a left hook and a series of rights before taking him down.
The victory in Perth, Western Australia, on Sunday (local time) came after du Plessis contributed to Adesanya breaking down in tears and storming off the stage when asked about his family during Friday’s pre-fight press conference.
Du Plessis’ long-standing rivalry with Nigerian-born Adesanya has seen them go at each other for years.
Both fighters have been battling each other for the “authentic African” title for some time, after du Plessis claimed to be the continent’s first champion.
The statement angered Adesanya, who now represents New Zealand in the Octagon, as well as former UFC welterweight champion Kamaru Usman.
However, the rivals praised each other after the fight was decided.
The decisive moment: Du Plessis (left) applies the choke that saw him defend his middleweight title and gain the upper hand in his bitter rivalry with Israel Adesanya (right)
The South African scored with a right hook to the head and then had no trouble taking Adesanya down and applying the submission that ended it all.
They had spent years throwing barbs at each other, but the two African-born fighters praised each other at the end of the fight.
“This guy is the king of comeback,” du Plessis said of Adesanya, who was aiming to become middleweight champion for a third time.
‘I’m still alive, that’s a plus.
“I came here to die for this belt and take someone’s life. I’m still the champion, baby.”
Du Plessis said it was an honour to “share the Octagon with a legend” and added: “This man has done so much for this sport and I am very sorry that I appeared to disrespect him for being from Africa.
-I didn’t mean to.
Adesanya said: ‘I always knew it was going to be tough, so it’s not a surprise.
“I’ve never felt better and I’ve never looked better, but I just fought the best man of the night.”
He blamed the loss – the first by submission in his stellar career – on a shocking mistake, saying: “I was pretty strong there. I felt able to withstand his takedowns.
“I just made a stupid, dumb mistake on the floor.”
He then sent a message to all the fans or pundits who think he might retire after losing three of his last four fights: “I’m not going to fucking go.”
During Friday’s press conference, tensions rose when Adesanya was asked if he would be visiting Africa in the near future, with the fighter confidently replying that he plans to take his belt to Nigeria and South Africa.
Du Plessis came up with the question: “Will you take the servants with you when you come back?”, suggesting the New Zealander grew up rich.
Adesanya exploded and asked: What the fuck are you talking about?
“You don’t even know anything about my story. You have no idea who the fuck I am.”
Du Plessis retained his middleweight belt in emphatic fashion after getting into his opponent’s head in the build-up to the fight.
Nigerian-born Adesanya burst into tears at Friday’s pre-fight press conference (pictured) when Du Plessis made a comment about his background.
The crowd then asked ‘The Last Stylebender’ a question about the tension between the wrestlers.
Breaking down in tears, she pointed to her family and said: ‘It touched on an issue there because I’m doing this for family.’
‘I’m doing this for the people I love and I will fight for you forever, I swear to God.’
The 35-year-old again mocked his opponent after acknowledging his love for his fans.
‘I feel the love from the crowd. The first time I fought here (UFC) 221, it was in February 2018, and that’s when I made my dream come true.
“On Sunday I’m going to kill your dreams, bitch, I’m going to kill your dreams,” Adesanya said before leaving the stage when the press conference ended.
The pair did not touch gloves at the start of the fight, given their animosity.
Adesanya landed a series of powerful kicks in the first round, but du Plessis responded with some damaging punches.
Du Plessis offered his glove at the end of the round, but Adesanya declined.
Du Plessis is seen consoling Adesanya just after his rear-naked choke ended the fight.
‘Stylebender’ (left) had several strong passages in the fight, surviving a choke attempt in the second round and scoring often with punches and kicks.
Adesanya was knocked down early in the second round when du Plessis attempted to choke his opponent into submission.
The New Zealander managed to get out of trouble before landing a series of powerful blows.
The third round was a close fight in which both fighters made desperate attempts to land a knockout blow.
A reverse elbow from Adesanya got the crowd going, but du Plessis was able to respond with a series of huge strikes.
Du Plessis’ precision with his punches in the fourth round opened the door for him to take Adesanya to the ground again and finish the job.