Israel Adesanya’s stunning submission defeat to Dricus Du Plessis at UFC 305 has left fans and analysts alike buzzing with speculation. The fight, which ended in the fourth round with Adesanya caught in a rear-naked choke, marked a rare and surprising setback for the former two-time middleweight champion.
Many noticed something off about Adesanya’s performance, particularly his uncharacteristic decision to shy away from his usual strategy of targeting his opponent with leg kicks. This shift didn’t go unnoticed by Alex Pereira, a familiar rival who has shared the octagon with Adesanya multiple times. Pereira speculated that an injury might have been the reason behind Adesanya’s change in tactics.
Adesanya, always quick to engage with his fans and critics, responded to Pereira’s comments on X (formerly Twitter) with a cryptic message: “It’s weird how this guy knows me… It’s like we’ve spent hours studying each other’s moves and fought multiple times or sumn’. I mean that.” This response seemed to confirm that something was indeed affecting him during the fight.
This defeat not only marked Adesanya’s first submission loss in his professional MMA career but also his second consecutive loss, a situation that puts his future in the middleweight division under the microscope. As Pereira prepares for his upcoming title defense against Khalil Rountree at UFC 307, the dynamics within both the middleweight and light heavyweight divisions could be in for some major changes.
For Adesanya, this loss might be a turning point. He could need to reassess his training methods, focus on his health, and address any lingering issues before he steps back into the octagon. This fight serves as a reminder that even the best fighters can be brought down by factors beyond their control, and it underscores the importance of staying in peak physical condition.
As fans await Adesanya’s next move, the question remains: Can he bounce back from this setback and reclaim his status as one of the most dominant fighters in the UFC? Only time will tell, but one thing is clear—Adesanya’s journey in the octagon is far from over.
