UFC middleweight champion Dricus du Plessis stopped former two-time champion Israel Adesanya to retain his title after a clinical finish to a tight-fought battle.
The South African won by submission against Adesanya in the fourth round of their title fight on Sunday morning to retain the UFC middleweight title in Perth, Australia.
Du Plessis said: “I always knew I’m in trouble fighting one of the – if not the – greatest strikers ever in this division.
“I needed that takedown, got the takedown. At this level it’s hard to keep this man down. This man is the king of getting back up, nobody can take him down and keep him there.”
Adesanya acknowledged Du Plessis as “the better man on the night.”
“I’m disappointed in myself but at the same time I’m proud. Because this is the best I’ve ever felt, this is the best I’ve ever looked, I was just beaten by the better man on the night and I’ll give him respect for that.”
