Former two-time middleweight champion Israel Adesanya has the opportunity to become a three-time titleholder when he faces champion Dricus Du Plessis in the UFC 305 main event on Aug. 17.
Du Plessis (21-2) won the 185-pound championship by defeating Sean Strickland at UFC 297 in January. He’ll put the belt on the line for the first time at RAC Arena in Perth, Australia against “The Last Stylebender.” Adesanya (24-3) hasn’t fought since September 2023 when he lost the title to Strickland.
Adesanya released behind-the-scenes training footage from his UFC 305 preparation to his YouTube channel on Thursday.
UFC 305 will mark the fight promotion’s third time holding an event in Perth and the beginning of a multiyear deal for two annual events in the city. The title bout will be the first time two African-born athletes compete for a UFC title.