Israel Adesanya announces UFC 305 title fight against Dricus Du Plessis

Josh Sanchez

Israel Adesanya announces UFC 305 title fight against Dricus Du Plessis image

UFC 305 appears to have its main event. 

Former middleweight champion Israel Adesanya took to social media to announce he will face current champion Dricus Du Plessis in the pay-per-view's main event. 

UFC 305 is scheduled to take place in Perth, Australia, on August 17.

“The SUN of Africa is the same sun that lights up our planet,” Adesanya wrote. “The SUN will set and will rise again until you walk into it. The SUN, enjoy while it shines. Darkness falls when it’s gone.”

MORE: Who is fighting at UFC 305 in Perth? 

The Du Plessis vs. Adesanya bout has been speculated for months, but a social media post from UFC president Dana White showed the matchmaking board for UFC 305 in the background. 

Only one name in the main event was visible: Israel Adesanya. 

Adesanya (24-3) has not fought since losing the middleweight title to Sean Strickland at UFC 293 in September 2023. That event was also held in Australia. 

Du Plessis (21-2) took the title from Strickland via a split decision at UFC 297 in January 2024. The fight was awarded Fight of the Night and was Du Plessis' ninth straight victory. 

Josh Sanchez

Josh Sanchez Photo

Josh Sanchez is an MMA contributor for Sporting News, along with serving as the managing editor of Cowboys FanNation on SI. After majoring in journalism at Seton Hill University, Josh began his writing career and has since had his work featured on SportsIllustrated.com, FOXSports.com, CBSSports.com, and many more.