Australia got a treat of a card for UFC's return to Perth this weekend. The promotion delivered an epic PPV main card with Dricus du Plessis managing to retain his middleweight title against Israel Adesanya in a brilliant back-and-forth affair. 

Du Plessis, the South African native, absorbed heavy damage from the former champion Adesanya, who was making his return to action after nearly a year away. Adesanya appeared close to dropping du Plessis, just as the champion managed to return fire and take Adesanya's back before locking in the rear-naked choke.

The undercard saw some tremendous action. Kai Kara-France returned from his own layoff to score a stunning first-round knockout of Steve Erceg at flyweight. Kara-France, who challenged for the interim title in 2023, pushed his name right back to the top of the contender's list after the win over Erceg, who was coming off a competitive decision loss to Alexandre Pantoja for the full title in May. Plus, Dan Hooker turned back the clock to score a massive upset over Mateusz Gamrot. Hooker, who had also been out of action for over a year, ran his win streak to three with the split-decision effort in which he dropped the rising contender multiple times. And rising prospect Carlos Prates should what a massive talent he could be with a stunning knockout of Li Jingliang to open the PPV. It was the first time in Jingliang's long career that he had been knocked out.

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UFC 305 fight card, results

  • Dricus du Plessis (c) def. Israel Adesanya via fourth-round submission (rear-naked choke)
  • Kai Kara-France def. Steve Erceg via first-round knockout (punch)
  • Dan Hooker def. Mateusz Gamrot via split decision (29-28, 28-29, 29-28)
  • Jairzinho Rozenstruik def. Tai Tuivasa via split decision (29-28, 27-30, 30-27)
  • Carlos Prates def. Li Jingliang via second-round knockout (punch)
  • Valter Walker def. Junior Tafa via first-round submission (heel hook)
  • Ricardo Ramos def. Josh Culibao via split decision (29-28, 28-29, 29-28)
  • Casey O'Neill def. Luana Santos via unanimous decision (30-27, 30-27, 30-26)
  • Jack Jenkins def. Herbert Burns via third-round TKO (calf kicks)
  • Tom Nolan def. Alex Reyes via unanimous decision (30-27, 30-27, 29-28)
  • Song Kenan def. Ricky Glenn via unanimous decision (29-28, 30-27, 30-26)
  • Jesus Aguilar def. Stewart Nicoll via first-round submission (guillotine choke)

UFC 305 countdown