'Dumb Mistake': Israel Adesanya Addresses Retirement Talks After Losing to Du Plessis At UFC 305

Dricus du Plessis, who was up against Israel Adesanya in his first title defense, has cemented his reign as the UFC Middleweight champion at UFC 305. By submitting the Last Stylebender, the South African has managed to do what no other fighter has been able to. Du Plessis won the contest in the fourth round of the match.

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UFC 305: Dricus du Plessis submits Israel Adesanya, retains Middleweight championship

After returning to the Octagon after almost a year, Israel Adesanya showcased glimpses of his old self and gathered the momentum to pull off a unanimous decision victory. However, just as it happens so often in this sport, one shot changes the entire complexion of the game. Du Plessis' heavy strike in the 4th minute of the 4th round wobbled Adesanya and subsequently, he found the opening to hold on to his back to lock the Rear Naked Choke. Izzy had no option left but to tap, and just like that Dricus du Plessis defeated one of the biggest names in MMA to retain his UFC Middleweight championship.

"I just made a stupid, dumb mistake on the ground," Adesanya said after the fight.

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Israel Adesanya shuts down retirement speculations

Israel Adesanya lost the opportunity to become only the second fighter after Randy Couture in UFC history to have three separate title reigns with a UFC belt. It was a classic Adesanya performance that might have fetched him a win had the match ceased in minutes. It is Adesanya's 3rd loss in the last 4 fights. The 35-year-old paid heed to the retirement speculations after the culmination of the fight and ended all the assertions by stating, "I'm not f***ing leaving."

As for Dricus du Plessis, his last three wins have come against the former Middleweight champions (Robert Whittaker, Sean Strickland, and Israel Adesanya), and a rematch with one of them looks like a potential future course of action. Nevertheless, another former champion, who is now the king of the Light Heavyweight division could enter the fray.

On a scale of 1 to 10, how serious Alex Pereira looks here?