Israel Adesanya has suffered a career-first submission defeat as his bid to start a third reign as middleweight champion came crashing down at UFC 305 in Perth.
The 35-year-old had not been sighted in the octagon since losing the belt last September to Sean Strickland, whose reign was quickly ended when he lost to South Africa’s Dricus du Plessis in January.
And now du Plessis has extended his winning streak in the UFC to eight with a stunning turn of events in the fourth round on Sunday.
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Both fighters were labouring through the fourth round as the fatigue kicked in but du Plessis turned the bout on its head in a matter of seconds.
He landed three straight shots on Adesanya, who was on the back foot and wrapped up quickly when du Plessis sensed his opportunity.
Du Plessis wrapped up Adesanya into a rear naked choke and the former champion quickly submitted.
The pair shared a brief exchange afterwards while Adesanya sought out the camera to send a message to fans: “Watch me, I’ll be back.”
Adesanya was immediately on the defensive when he stepped in front of the mic.
“To be honest I always knew he was going to be tough to put away. I was cracking him. It wasn’t a surprise,” Adesanya said.
“But I was quite strong in there. I felt strong, able to resist his takedowns. I just made a dumb, stupid mistake on the ground and he got me.
“To my family I will fight for you forever. No matter what. And again, I didn’t do what I wanted to do tonight and I’m disappointed but I’m proud, this is the best I’ve ever felt, the best I’ve ever looked.”
Adesanya has fought in 12 straight title bouts dating back to 2019 and now, having returned from 11 months off with a loss, faces a mini rebuild.
“I didn’t manifest this,” Adesanya said.
“Look I know everyone loves me, this is where I started my career in the UFC, right here in Perth. But I’m 35, I’m doing the right things.
“I’m not f***ing leaving.”
Du Plessis had strong support from South Africans in the crowd and enjoyed extended celebrations in the octagon.
He has now beaten every major middleweight contender in a little over a year, having first beaten Robert Whittaker to secure his title shot against Strickland — who is now in line for a rematch.
Former middleweight champion Alex Pereira, who moved up and now holds the light heavyweight title, also teased that he will return to the division “one more time” to fight du Plessis.
Du Plessis paid tribute to Adesanya as “one of if not the greatest” middleweight fighters ever.
“I need that takedown, I got that takedown. This man is the king of getting back up, no one can get him down and keep him there,” du Plessis said.
“I’m still alive, that’s a bonus. I came here to die for this belt and to take a life. I’m still champion, baby.”
“This was the most amazing atmosphere I’ve ever fought in front of, thank you.”
Du Plessis apologised for a tense build-up after fighting with Adesanya, born in Nigeria and raised in New Zealand from the age of 10, over who is the UFC’s true African champion.
“I’m really sorry that it came across that I disrespected the fact that he’s from Africa,” he said.
“That was never my intention. Africa would have won regardless, but tonight South Africa was the victor.
“It was an honour for me to share the cage with a legend. He’s a warrior. I do not want to be kicked by that man again.”
Adesanya spent significant portions of the second round on the mat or against the cage attempting to ward off du Plessis holds.
Du Plessis copped a nasty elbow in the third round but came out on top in the fourth even when he looked exhausted.
If not for the 10 seconds of magic that ended the bout, the fight was on track to go down to the wire.
Du Plessis led 29-28 on two scorecards, with the three judges split on the first and third rounds and Adesanya arguably stronger to start the fourth.