In a surprising turn of events at UFC 305, Nigeria’s Israel Adesanya was defeated by South Africa’s Dricus Du Plessis in the fourth round, losing his UFC middleweight title. Here are five key reasons that contributed to Adesanya’s loss:
- Extended Layoff After losing to Sean Strickland last year, Adesanya took an 11-month break to recharge both mentally and physically. While necessary, this long absence left him at a disadvantage in a fiercely competitive division. In contrast, Du Plessis remained active, securing significant wins and entering UFC 305 in peak condition.
- Wrestling Weakness Adesanya has struggled with wrestling throughout his career. Although his speed and ring intelligence often protected him, Du Plessis capitalized on this vulnerability. Adesanya’s difficulty in defending takedowns became a decisive factor as Du Plessis effectively used grappling to gain control.
- Fatigue in Later Rounds Despite rallying in the third round, Adesanya showed signs of fatigue as the fight progressed. Du Plessis, although also worn out, managed to maintain his energy for crucial moments. This allowed him to resume his grappling in the fourth round and ultimately secure the win with a rear-naked choke.
- Adesanya’s Age At 35 years old, Adesanya is no longer the unstoppable force he once was. While he has achieved remarkable success, time appears to be catching up with him. His reduced quickness and stamina were evident against Du Plessis, raising questions about whether it might be time for him to consider retirement.
- Du Plessis’ Strategic Execution Du Plessis came into the fight with a clear game plan and executed it flawlessly. By combining leg kicks with blitzes and using well-timed grappling, he managed to neutralize Adesanya’s striking and impose his own rhythm on the fight. His ability to adapt and control the match was a major factor in his victory.
These factors combined to create an uphill battle for Adesanya, ultimately leading to his defeat and the crowning of a new UFC middleweight champion.
