Dricus du Plessis stepped into UFC 305 with Israel Adesanya awaiting him in the cage, poised to defend his middleweight title. Not only did he win the match, but he also became a legend in front of a sold-out crowd in Perth’s RAC Arena. With the whole world watching, he did a 4th round submission that changed the balance of power in the division and shocked UFC betting sites all over the world.
It was August 18, 2024. Fans were going wild. Stakes were high—either du Plessis establishes his reign as champion, or Adesanya comes back to reclaim what was his. They exchanged back and forth for 3 rounds. Then in the 4th round, du Plessis secures a rear-naked choke that forces Adesanya to tap. Absolutely decisive. Absolutely real. And history was made.
The Fight: Start to Finish
Du Plessis started Round 1 with an aggressive low kick to the leg and closed the distance quickly with low kicks and short 2-punch combos. As is usual for Adesanya, he remained calm and focused but risked getting unnerved by du Plessis. Adesanya’s counters, while well-timed, were not effective enough to secure the round in his favor.
Du Plessis getting a clean takedown after slipping a jab marked the start of Round 2. Adesanya tried to stand up while du Plessis worked elbows from half guard, but slowed the time and controlled the fight. Adesanya did manage to stand up by the end of the round, but clearly lost this round. This was a reminder that du Plessis isn’t just a brawler. He was able to control the fight with relative ease and is more than just a brawler.
Adesanya looked sharper in Round 3, landing body kicks and combining them with confidently stepped-in 2-punch combos. Adesanya’s improvement in movement and du Plessis’s poor defense allowed him to absorb several big shots. For du Plessis, this was his least productive round of the fight, and Adesanya was primed for a shift starting with the championship rounds.
Here comes Round 4. Du Plessis caught Adesanya with a clean right hand that made him stumble. He quickly rushed in, pulled Adesanya down with him, took his back, and locked in a rear-naked choke. Adesanya put up some fight, but tapped. The fight ended at 3:38 of the round. Du Plessis was still the undisputed champion.
What the Win Says About Du Plessis
This was neither a lucky punch nor a stolen decision. Rather, it was a clean submission done alongside a former titleholder, which was a last dominant attempt in the fight’s championship round.
Along with the pressure fighting, Du Plessis showed more patience, greater control of the ground, and the ability to fight in the middle of the match. That is the last thing we expect from a fighter who is considered to be a brawler and a cardio pressure fighter. Such chokes are done with precision, and without a doubt, the timing was perfect.
This win also proves he has a high degree of durability: Du Plessis has managed to take several clean shots from one of the most accurate strikers in the UFC and keep on moving forward. Unlike most fighters, he does not chase; he outsmarts his opponent.
His win streak now includes big names like Whittaker, Strickland, and now Adesanya. His last victory will be considered in terms of how sports bookies will balance his next title defense. It is safe to say he is not a one-dimensional grinder; he is now a fierce and intelligent champion.
Why the Market Shifted: Betting Implications
That performance totally flipped expectations—and that is critical for betting purposes. Coming into the fight, most betting houses had Adesanya as a slight favorite. He was considered the more technical and experienced fighter, with cleaner wins on his record. The betting lines corroborated that, as many parlays seemed to be in his favor.
However, du Plessis did not just survive the fight—he methodically broke down Adesanya with calculated pacing that revealed his weaknesses. This changes how sharp bettors and oddsmakers view him.
He demonstrated:
- Octagon IQ: He adjusted his attack in between rounds and picked his moments to strike.
- Cardio discipline: He maintained a high work rate in Round 4.
- Submission threat: He added a new method-of-victory angle to monitor.
This impacts the prop markets on KOs, submissions, and decisions. Fighters who can win via KO, decision, or submission tend to be far more unpredictable—and provide great betting value if you identify a favorable stylistic matchup.
This also shakes up future championship betting lines. He is no longer just a brawler with a gas tank. Du Plessis has added the full-spectrum fighter label to his resume, which makes him impossible to price for UFC sportsbook betting. His value has increased tremendously.
What’s Next for Du Plessis
He’s defended his title. He beat one of the best fighters in the game. So, what’s next?
There are some calls for a Chimaev fight, and some are still wishing for a trilogy fight with Adesanya. Either way, du Plessis now has the odds in his favor. He is the champ, coming off a fresh finish, and has a grinding, high-pressure style that turns the fight into a race against time.
His next opponent needs to get ready to defend against everything, including pressure striking, unending takedowns, and a now-tested game for submissions. That puts oddsmakers in a tight spot—favorites don’t usually check that many boxes.
For gamblers, the secret is that du Plessis is shifting into a new stage. He is done being the storybook underdog. He is the puzzle other fighters need to crack.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: Who won between du Plessis and Adesanya at UFC 305?
A: Du Plessis won by rear-naked choke in Round 4, retaining his middleweight title.
Q: Where did the fight take place?
A: RAC Arena, Perth, Australia.
Q: How did du Plessis win the fight?
A: He landed a right hook, took Adesanya’s back, and secured a rear-naked choke at 3:38 of Round 4.
Q: What does this mean for Adesanya?
A: He remains a top contender but may need to win again before getting another title shot.
Q: How Do Fighter Styles Influence UFC Betting?
A: Styles dictate risk—strikers vs. grapplers create matchup volatility, which influences odds movement and prop value in UFC betting online.
Takeaways That Stick
Du Plessis entered Perth with something to prove. He left with his statement finish, belt, and a resume that silences doubts. For fans, it was drama. In sportsbooks, it was a reshuffle. For bettors? Opportunity.
He’s now a fighter you have to think about in every phase of the fight. And that makes every future matchup involving him more complicated—and more profitable for sharp bettors who pay attention.
The champ clearly submitted a legend in front of a packed arena. No hype, just facts. And that’s already changing how the division, along with the odds, functions.
Hilbert Mayer
Sports Writer
Hilbert Mayer is a professional sports writer, betting analyst, and content strategist with over 15 years of experience in the sports industry. Before focusing on sports betting analysis and handicapping, Hilbert worked as a sports writer for various news outlets, covering everything from game recaps to in-depth matchup features. Today, he specializes in MLB, NFL, March Madness, and UFC betting, combining his journalistic background with deep statistical expertise and real-world betting insights. His proven track record, sharp reads, and ability to break down complex matchups make him a trusted voice among both casual bettors and seasoned sharps.
Published on: August 31, 2025
Last updated: August 31, 2025