It should be good for the UFC to have an Israel Adesanya on the roster. Even when he’s not coming in because the champ, he’s nonetheless an attraction who largely sells himself.
That’s good, since this weekend’s UFC 305 occasion in Perth, Australia, appears to be relying on him to do lots of the heavy lifting promotionally. Adesanya’s try and recapture the UFC middleweight title from present champ Dricus du Plessis tops a combat card that’s stacked with regional favorites however possibly not a ton of confirmed pay-per-view attracts for the North American viewing public.
However then there’s Adesanya. Even when he’s not the champ, he exudes that champ aura. He’s a born entertainer, the uncommon fighter who will truly push the UFC to let him do the form of pre-fight theatrics the corporate often eschews, a man who looks like a pressure each bodily and personally.
His try and regain the middleweight title for a 3rd time looks like an actual tipping level for “The Final Stylebender.” If he does it, he’s a UFC legend. If he falls brief, possibly that is the place folks conclude that he’s on the downslope of his profession.
As for the remainder of the UFC 305 principal card, right here’s what to observe for on Saturday night time:
Li Jingliang vs. Carlos Prates
Who they’re: For a time there “The Leech” appeared like he may flip into China’s hottest MMA prospect. These days he’s been on the win one/lose one pattern, which isn’t nice, although he additionally hasn’t had many straightforward matchups over the past 5 years. Prates is a brand new face at welterweight who’s been blazing by means of opponents since he confirmed up on “Dana White’s Contender Sequence” final 12 months. He’s all the time seeking to end and hasn’t seen the scorecards in a combat in practically 5 years.
Why it issues: Prates is wanting extra like the longer term, whereas Jingliang has began to appear just like the previous. There’s little doubt about Jingliang’s toughness, so it received’t be a simple night time of labor, but when Prates is who the UFC thinks he may be then this can be a probability to show it and nail a brand new pelt to the wall.
Tai Tuivasa vs. Jairzinho Rozenstruik
Who they’re: Simply a few massive boys right here to throw leather-based and provides the followers one thing to shout about. Tuivasa is an Australian crowd favourite and principally a required addition to any UFC card on the continent. Rozenstruik can be a heavyweight banger who’s equally unskilled and bored with most different areas of combined martial arts.
Why it issues: Tuivasa has misplaced 4 straight and is hanging on by advantage of being enjoyable, beloved and massive. The UFC doesn’t like to chop heavyweights who folks truly care about since there are so few of them and different promotions may all the time use them. Nonetheless, he wants a win. Rozenstruik will in all probability oblige him with a brawl on the toes. Then it’s a query of who lands first.
Mateusz Gamrot vs. Dan Hooker
Who they’re: Gamrot was a two-division champ with KSW in his dwelling nation of Poland. He’s been very strong up to now within the UFC however is having hassle cresting the hill into title contender territory. Hooker is from the identical New Zealand crew as Adesanya and has already lived a number of lives within the UFC. Right here he tries for his first three-fight profitable streak since 2020.
Why it issues: Gamrot is ranked fifth within the UFC’s light-weight division and is on the verge of cracking that high tier. What he wants are a pair extra wins over identified opponents. He additionally must look good doing it, and never like he’s simply barely getting by. Hooker, alternatively, is attempting to point out that his occasional stumbles are behind him and he’s able to beating well-rounded fighters who’re nonetheless of their primes. Doing it in entrance of a pleasant dwelling crowd can be a bonus.
Kai Kara-France vs. Steve Erceg
Who they’re: Kara-France was wanting like a possible flyweight champ till he misplaced his crack on the interim title after which fell additional with a split-decision loss final summer time. Erceg is the latest Australian fighter who individuals are able to get enthusiastic about. He was rushed right into a title combat for the sake of timing and comfort, however nonetheless did much better than anticipated and his inventory didn’t fall far consequently.
Why it issues: Neither of those guys is much from getting again right into a combat with a belt on the road. Throwing them into this co-main occasion bout looks like a take a look at to see which ones has a greater probability to get himself into that combat — and which may be on a downward trending line in the intervening time.
Dricus du Plessis vs. Israel Adesanya
Who they’re: Du Plessis is the newly minted UFC middleweight champ, however to many individuals he doesn’t but look like he’s really the world’s greatest middleweight. Adesanya was the final champ within the division to exhibit any extended dominance, and he’s one of many few enduring stars the UFC has between light-weight and heavyweight.
Why it issues: If the gold round du Plessis’ waist isn’t sufficient, there’s additionally the battle for public notion. Du Plessis wants this win to show he’s not some short-term champ who was in a position to make the most of a short chaotic clip within the division. Adesanya wants it as a way to show that his title loss to Sean Strickland was a fluke and he’s nonetheless one of the best 185-pounder round. If he can get the belt again a 3rd time, Adesanya is actually one of many greats. If du Plessis can beat him, folks should begin taking him significantly as champ.
