UFC 305’s Dricus du Plessis expects Israel Adesanya rematch with win: ‘Title shot after a loss every single time’

Instant rematches are nothing new in Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC).

Although the former two-time Middleweight champion, Israel Adesanya, isn’t entering a rematch when he challenges the champion, Dricus du Plessis, at UFC 305, it will be an instant title shot after a loss. Adesanya’s return will mark his first appearance since a unanimous decision title defeat to Sean Strickland at UFC 293 in September 2023 (watch highlights).

Before the Strickland fight, Adesanya (24-3) won back the title in his mixed martial arts (MMA) rematch against Alex Pereira (watch highlights) — his first instant rematch in a title fight. Ultimately, du Plessis won’t be surprised if it happens again if he earns his first successful title defense this weekend (Sat., Aug. 17, 2024).

“If you lost the belt and had to fight all the way back up then that takes determination but getting a title shot after a loss every single time, that’s interesting,” du Plessis told The MMA Guru (h/t Bloody Elbow). “I’m assuming we’ll have a rematch after this.”

Regardless of the outcome, there is expected to be a rematch … but not between du Plessis and Adesanya. UFC CEO, Dana White, revealed during fight week that the aforementioned former champion, Strickland, will await the winner of UFC 305’s main event. Despite those claims from the boss, du Plessis doesn’t see how the undefeated 13-0 contender, Khamzat Chimaev, won’t be next depending on the outcome of his Robert Whittaker match up at UFC 308 on Oct. 26, 2024.

“It’s a very interesting situation at Middleweight right now because you’re sitting with Strickland who beat [Paulo] Costa, but then you get [Robert] Whittaker who’s been at it, who beat Costa as well. He also beat Costa before Strickland in a much more entertaining fight, for sure.

“Let’s be honest, if the Whittaker-Chimaev fight ends in a draw, Khamzat’s getting a title shot for sure, 100 percent,” he continued. “The UFC have been wanting to give Khamzat a title shot for years he just wouldn’t take it. I’m rooting for Whittaker in that fight although I would love to fight Khamzat.”

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’BAD BLOOD BOILS OVER! Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC) returns to RAC Arena in Perth, western Australia, on Sat., Aug. 17, 2024, with an absolutely incredible pay-per-view (PPV) main event between Middleweight champion, Dricus Du Plessis, taking on African rival — and former 185-pound roost-ruler — Israel Adesanya. In UFC 305’s co-headliner, top-ranked Flyweight contender, Kai Kara-France (No. 4), locks horns with former 125-pound title contender, Steve Erceg (No. 7), while Mateusz Gamrot meets Dan Hooker in a fun Lightweight scrap one fight prior. UFC 305’s PPV main card (see it here) will also feature Tai Tuivasa vs. Jairzinho Rozenstruik, Jingliang Li vs. Carlos Prates and so much more. It’s must-watch action from “Down Under!” UFC 305 start time scheduled for 6:30 p.m. ET (Prelims) and 10 p.m. ET (PPV).

Don’t miss a single second of EPIC face-punching action!

MMAmania.com will deliver LIVE round-by-round, blow-by-blow coverage of the entire UFC 305 fight card RIGHT HERE, starting with the early ESPN+ “Prelims” matches at 6:30 p.m. ET, followed by the remaining undercard balance on ESPN/ESPN+ at 8 p.m. ET, before the PPV main card start time at 10 p.m. ET on ESPN+ PPV.

To check out the latest and greatest UFC 305: “Du Plessis vs. Adesanya” news and notes be sure to hit up our comprehensive event archive right here. For the updated and finalized UFC 305 fight card and PPV lineup click here.