Nigeria's Israel Adesanya fails comeback fight against South Africa’s Dricus Du Plesis

Posted : 19 August 2024

South Africa’s Dricus Du Plesis (DDP) forced Nigerian-New Zealand UFC star Israel Adesanya to submit in the early hours of Sunday at the RAC Arena in Perth, Australia, during the fourth round to retain his Middleweight Belt.

Adesanya almost lost the fight in the second round but came back to dominate the third. DDP pinned Adesanya to the canvas in the fourth round and applied a chokehold to secure his first successful title defense.

Coming into the fight with a record of 24-3-0 against DDP's 21-2-0, Adesanya stated, “I’m really sorry if it seemed like I disrespected the fact that he’s from Africa, that was never my intention. I have the utmost respect for him, warrior to warrior; believe me, I do not want to be kicked by the man again.” He added that he’s not quitting.

DDP acknowledged that Adesanya is one of the greatest strikers ever in the division, but he said, “I needed that takedown, and I got the takedown. At this level, it’s hard to keep people down, and this man is the type who keeps getting back up. Nobody can take him down and keep him there… Ultimately, I believe this fight was won on the feet.”

Adesanya had lost the belt in a major upset last September to Sean Strickland, whom DDP defeated last January. This was DDP's first title defense. Adesanya took a break from fighting after his loss to Strickland.

The night's drama included the removal of Judge Howie Booth from the co-main events after a controversial scorecard.

Booth was removed after returning a puzzling 30-27 scorecard for Tai Tuivasa in the heavyweight fight against Jairzinho Rozenstruik, as he was supposed to officiate the fight between Kai Kara-France and Steve Erceg in a Flyweight encounter.

Booth had awarded Tuivasa a win in a fight that Rozenstruik largely dominated over three rounds, resulting in a puzzling split decision, though Rozenstruik still won. The Combat Sports Commission had to step in and replace Booth with Judge Ben Cartlidge.

In one of the undercard fights, Jack Jenkins of Australia defeated Herbert Burns of Brazil at 0:48 minutes of the 3rd Round. Jenkins dropped Burns with a heavy right hand and pummeled him on the canvas where Burns submitted.

In another fight, this time in the Flyweight category, Casey O’Neil of Australia, with a record of 10-2-0, defeated Brazil’s Luana Santos, with a record of 8-2-0, via a unanimous decision of 30-27; 30-27 and 30-26.

Earlier, Jesus Aguilar had beaten Australian newcomer Stewart Nicoll with a guillotine choke, forcing him to submit in round one. That marks three straight wins for Jesus, who had lost his debut bout to Tatsuro Taira before.

Nigeria's Israel Adesanya fails comeback fight against South Africa’s Dricus Du Plesis

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