Adesanya Reveals Costly Mistake After Loss to Du Plessis

In a high-stakes UFC middleweight title fight, Nigerian-born Israel Adesanya experienced a surprising defeat against South Africa’s Dricus Du Plessis. The fight, held at UFC 305 in Perth, ended in the fourth round with Adesanya losing by submission, a result that left many fans stunned.

Adesanya entered the championship rounds with a lead on the scorecards and appeared to be in control. However, his hopes of reclaiming the middleweight title were dashed by what he later described as “a dumb mistake” during a grappling exchange that allowed Du Plessis to secure a rear-naked choke.

Reflecting on the loss, Adesanya candidly admitted, “I felt strong; I resisted his takedowns well. I just made a stupid, dumb mistake on the ground, and he adjusted well to the Gable grip and caught me.” His admission highlighted a rare moment of vulnerability for the former champion, who had dominated the division in previous years.

The fight was marked by intense pre-fight tension, much of it centered on the fighters’ African heritage. The animosity translated into a grueling, back-and-forth battle inside the Octagon. Adesanya, known for his striking prowess, managed to draw first blood and kept Du Plessis on the defensive through the first three rounds.

However, Du Plessis’ persistence paid off as he used his wrestling skills to take Adesanya down in the second round, gradually wearing him down. The turning point came in the fourth round when Du Plessis landed a well-timed left hook, shifting the momentum in his favor. As Adesanya struggled to recover, the South African capitalized with a takedown and quickly locked in the rear-naked choke, forcing Adesanya to tap out.

Despite the defeat, Adesanya remained composed and gracious in acknowledging Du Plessis’ victory. “I’m disappointed in myself, but at the same time, I’m proud. He was just the better man on the night, and I give him respect for that,” Adesanya said.

At 35 years old, Adesanya now faces uncertainty about his future in the division he once ruled. When asked about his next steps, he admitted, “I didn’t think this far; I didn’t manifest this! I’m 35.”

For Du Plessis, the win was not just a title defense but a statement of his place as the undisputed middleweight champion. Addressing the pre-fight tension, Du Plessis expressed respect for Adesanya, stating, “Africa would have won either way tonight. I have the utmost respect for him, warrior to warrior. I’m really sorry that it came across that I disrespected the fact that he’s from Africa; that was never my intention.”

He continued to praise Adesanya’s skills, particularly his striking, saying, “(He’s) one of the—if not the—greatest strikers ever in this division. The takedown was key. In this division, it’s hard to keep people down. This man is the king of getting back up.”

The loss marks a significant moment in Adesanya’s career, leaving fans and analysts alike wondering what the future holds for “The Last Stylebender.”