UFC 305 Preview: 25 tidbits, facts, and storylines

August 17, 2024

After a lackluster event last week, the Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC) heads “Down Under” this weekend (Saturday, August 17, 2024) to the RAC Arena in Perth, Australia. UFC 305In the pay-per-view (PPV) main event, Drix du Plessis First defence of middleweight belt Africa’s fiercest rivals, Israel AdesanyaIn the main event of UFC 305, former flyweight title challenger Steve ErcegHe will face a former interim flyweight title challenger. Kai Cara (France).

UFC 305 is sure to have a lot of fun fights and a fun atmosphere, so before the ninth UFC pay-per-view (PPV) kicks off tomorrow night, ESPN+So before we head into the show, let’s check out some random stories, trivia and stats…

“City of Light”

UFC returns to Perth, Australia for the first time UFC 284where Islam Makhachev and Alexander Volkanovski In 2023,Fight of the year.In the semi-main event, Yair Rodriguez Submitted Josh Emmett Win the interim featherweight title (View highlights). Jack Della Maddalena was also on the card but was knocked out Randy Brown First round (See it here).

Bad Blood

It’s been over a year since Adesanya and du Plessis had their infamous standoff. UFC 290 (See it hereAnd if this fight had taken place at UFC 293, it would have been a much bigger deal.Or UFC 300) It was meant to be.there is still malice remaining. And mainly Du Plessis’ Comments about AfricaThings are different now that “Stilnox” holds the belt.

history

Adesanya and du Plessis will be the first time two African-born fighters will face each other for a title within the organization.

It feels like UFC screwed up by not bringing this fight to Africa…right?

Maybe next time …

Enemy Territory

As the fight will not take place in Africa, du Plessis will be fighting on enemy territory. do not have Being from Australia, he plays many of his matches domestically, so he is close to New Zealand.

Feeling fresh

It’s been 11 months since Adesanya last competed, and this is his longest yet. The longest break in his UFC careerWhen you think about it, that’s pretty impressive. His time away from the cage has made him healthier, both mentally and physically. “The Last Stylebender” also feels refreshed and has rediscovered his love for the sport.

A healthy and motivated Adesanya is a very dangerous fighter.

Main Event

Adesanya will be competing in his 11th consecutive main event on Saturday, while du Plessis will be competing in his second main event.

Australia v New Zealand

In the semi-main event, flyweight fighters will clash. Lost the title match Against Alexandre Pantoja At UFC 301.

There is very little stakes in the match, but they are both competing for their respective countries: Kara-France represents New Zealand and Erceg represents Australia.

Hometown Boy

Erceg also has a home-field advantage as he lives and trains in Perth, Australia.

“Don’t Blink” is back!

Kara-France is returning after a 14-month break. Manel Cape He competed at UFC 293 but was removed from the match. After a concussion.

Kara-France is on a two-fight losing streak.

Poor “gamer”

It looks like this Mateusz Gamrot They must win 5,768 consecutive games. Belal Muhammad — Whether it’s a shot at a title or dominating the weight class, Gamrot is 7-2 in the promotion and on a three-fight winning streak.

He accepts Dan Hooker In a featured bout at UFC 305.

Australian “Hangman”

Speaking of Hooker, this will be his first fight in Australia since UFC 243 (October 6, 2019), where he Al Iaquinta By unanimous decision.

Hooker has had a very successful career in the AUSNZ division and a win over Gamrot would see him return to the lightweight division. Returning from a long break For 13 months.

CKB

Some fighters like to fight their teammates on the card, and one gym that likes to do just that is City Kickboxing, one of the best in the world. In fact, CKB will have three fighters in the top three bouts on the UFC 305 PPV main card: Adesanya, Kara-France and Hooker.

Life or death?

It’s sad to see UFC release this. Thai Tuivasa He’s a fan favorite who gives it his all every time, so a loss at UFC 305 would mark five straight losses… and the UFC can be merciless at times, but all of those losses came against highly ranked fighters. Top 10Heavyweight ranking.

Still, Tuivasa is in desperate need of a win this weekend as he takes on a fellow knockout artist. Jairzinho Rozenstruik.

But the last time Tuivasa played in Perth, He destroyed Cyril Asker.

Welcome back, Reach!

23 Months Later, Fan Favorite Li Jingliang The Chinese fighter was scheduled to compete at UFC 287 last year but pulled out due to a spinal injury and has been plagued by a frightening setback ever since.

“Leach” is now fully healthy and ready to return to the welterweight division, but he has the daunting task of facing an absolute killer. Carlos Prates.

Brothers

As UFC gets bigger and bigger, more and more brothers and sisters are signing with the promotion. Of course, we all know about the Diaz brothers, the Nogueira brothers and the Pettis brothers.

UFC 305 will see four brothers of prominent UFC fighters compete against each other.

Junior Tafa — Brother of Justin Tafa — Accept Walter Walker (Brother of Johnnie Walker).
Herbert Burns Brother of Gilbert Burns — fight Jack Jenkins.
Alex Reyes — Brother of Dominic Reyes — Accept Tom Nolan.

New gym, new fighters?

Sometimes changing gyms is the best thing for a fighter. It refreshes things and gives you a new perspective. And that is exactly what Casey O’Neill did.

O’Neal has spent most of his UFC career with Extreme Couture, but for this training camp he packed his bags and headed four hours away to Fight Ready in Arizona.

“The King” is on a two-fight losing streak for the first time in his career and is also fighting in Australia for the first time during his time with the UFC.

O’Neill fights Luana Santos.

Welcome to UFC!

Only one fighter will be making his UFC debut at UFC 305. Stewart Nicol (8-0).

Nicole takes on the challenge Jesus Santos AguilarNicole comes from Beat Down Promotions and boasts an 88 percent finishing rate with four knockouts.

Australians in Australia

Seven Australian-born fighters will compete in Perth, Australia this weekend.

Erceg
Tuivasa
Tafa
Josh Clive
Jenkins
Tom Nolan
Nicole

UFC 305 Fight Leader

The fighter coming into UFC 305 with the most career fights is Kara-France. (36)

UFC 305 Fight Rookie

Coming into UFC 305, the fighter with the fewest career fights is Tafa (7).

UFC 305 Knockout King

Among the fighters competing at UFC 305, Adesanya (16) has the most career knockouts.

UFC 305 Submission Masters

Of all the fighters competing at UFC 305, du Plessis (10) has the most career submissions.

Winners and Losers

Ten fighters won and 14 lost.

Multiple divisions

The categories on display this Saturday are:

Two heavyweight bouts
1 Middleweight bout
2 welterweight bouts
Two lightweight bouts
Two featherweight bouts
Flyweight 2 bouts
Women’s flyweight 1 bout

Beta Dog

According to DraftKings, Reyes is the “biggest” underdog at UFC 305. +750.

Watch UFC 305 LIVE PPV on ESPN+!

“The malice is boiling over!” Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC) will hold a middleweight championship bout on Saturday, August 17, 2024 at the RAC Arena in Perth, Western Australia. Drix du Plessis, Taking on African rivals — and once ruled the roost at 185 pounds. Israel Adesanya. in UFC 305co-headliner and top flyweight contender, Kai Cara (France) (No. 4) will face a former 125-pound title contender. Steve Erceg (No. 7) Mateusz Gamrot meet Dan Hooker A fun lightweight fight ahead of the UFC 305 PPV main card.See here) will also appear Thai Tuivasa versus Jairzinho Rozenstruik, Li Jinliang versus Carlos Prates Etc. Must-see action “Down Under”! UFC 305 Scheduled start time 6:30pm ET (Qualifying) and 10pm ET (PPV).