- George Chung
- Aug 14, 2024
- 2 min read
The UFC middleweight division has been a whirlwind of title changes, with no champion successfully defending the belt since Israel Adesanya's victory over Jared Cannonier at UFC 276—over two years ago. The belt has since changed hands four times, and "The Last Stylebender" is determined to make it five as he faces off against current champion Dricus Du Plessis at UFC 305 in Perth.
Adesanya, who reigned as the undisputed champion for 1,134 days with five title defenses, sees his interim title win over Kelvin Gastelum as the true start of his championship journey, making his unification bout with Robert Whittaker his first "defense." During his three-year reign, Adesanya cleared out the division, leading to the rapid rise of Alex Pereira, the former kickboxing foe who knocked him out at UFC 281, igniting a new chapter in the division's history.
Pereira's shocking TKO win over Adesanya triggered a series of intense and unforgettable battles. Adesanya quickly bounced back, defeating Pereira in a thrilling rematch at UFC 287 in Miami, where he delivered one of his most memorable performances by knocking out "Poatan" in the second round, finally avenging his previous losses across two sports. Despite battling a knee injury, Adesanya pressed on, ready to fight in Sydney, Australia, just months later.
Initially slated to fight Du Plessis, Adesanya ended up facing Sean Strickland when the South African wasn't ready. Strickland shocked the world by outstriking Adesanya for 25 minutes, nearly finishing him in the first round with a powerful right hand, and ultimately claiming the middleweight title in one of the most surprising upsets in recent UFC history. Adesanya's subsequent break from competition, which he hinted could last years, ended sooner than expected.
Strickland's rise to the top was matched by his growing popularity, thanks to his candid and unapologetic approach to interviews and his gratitude toward MMA fans. His first title defense against Du Plessis in Toronto was a nail-biter, ending in a split decision loss that left Strickland and his fans disappointed. With Du Plessis now holding the belt, the long-awaited matchup with Adesanya at UFC 305 is set to determine the division's next chapter.
With the middleweight title in constant flux, the stakes couldn't be higher at UFC 305. Whoever emerges victorious will face a host of hungry challengers eager to claim the throne. Don't miss a second of the action as UFC 305: Du Plessis vs. Adesanya unfolds live from RAC Arena in Perth, Western Australia, on August 17, 2024. Prelims kick off at 8pm ET/5pm PT, with the main card live on PPV at 10pm ET/7pm PT.
