UFC 305 went as planned for South Africa’s first and only champion.

Dricus du Plessis entered the event in Perth, Australia ready to defend his title for the first time this past Saturday. Standing in his way was the middleweight division’s most recent long-term ruler, Israel Adesanya. The developed bad blood between the pair crescendoed in the form of a compelling main event.

Ultimately, “StillKnocks” came out victorious with a fourth-round face crank, making him the first to submit Adesanya in his 28-fight career (24-4). The stretch of success for du Plessis extended to 10 consecutive wins on the night (22-2 overall).

Immediately after the fight, the former divisional champion-turned-light heavyweight king, Alex Pereira, teased a return to challenge du Plessis. “Poatan’s” timing was funny, considering he just had his next defense — a clash with Khalil Rountree Jr. at UFC 307 in October — announced. The middleweight champion declared in his post-fight scrum he’s not calling for a double champion attempt just yet, but will do whatever is asked of him next. As for his coach Morne Visser, the thought of putting something together by the year’s end sounds perfect.

“No, I won’t give him the joy to go down to 185 [pounds]. We’ll just go up,” Visser told Submission Radio. “Because when we beat him he’ll say that, ‘We had to go down’ and he was fatigued and whatever. So, no. We’ll go up.

“I’m sure the UFC will be okay with that. Going up, if that’s what he said, I know Dricus is game, so we’ll go up. I’m not gonna wait for him to come down. He’s fighting in October, I really hope the UFC gives us the blessing for this for December. As soon as that.”

In a matchup with Pereira, du Plessis and company would face another stiff challenge in an elite-level striker unlike many the sport has seen before. Despite any kickboxing similarities that the rivals Pereira and Adesanya have, Visser doesn’t think the approach would be comparable.

“It’s a different gameplan,” Visser said. “There’s no way we’re gonna walk away from getting asked from the UFC to do something like that. We were criticized a few times because of Dricus saying no with injuries in the past. This fight was supposed to happen earlier.

“I’m glad it didn’t because I’m sure ‘Izzy’ changed his whole game plan. So, this was a proper brawl.”

UFC CEO Dana White indicated before the fight that former champion Sean Strickland would await the winner of du Plessis vs. Adesanya. So, for now, the champion can expect a rematch against the man he took the belt from via a split decision at UFC 297 in January.

It was also teased that du Plessis would get to make a dream come true with a victory at UFC 305. That dream being the UFC debut in South Africa with him headlining. Strickland has already pushed back on that idea on Twitter, calling for a Las Vegas event.

Hate to break it to you, “Tarzan,” but you’re not really in the position to call the shots anymore.

When it comes to a South Africa UFC show, Visser sees only one logical opponent when that time comes, and it’s not Strickland.

“I did say to ‘Izzy’ earlier when I saw him, I do believe there is talks about doing Africa,” Visser said. “So, South Africa sometime. I don’t think it’s going to be too soon but I said to ‘Izzy’ that I think the only guy that deserves to fight us in Africa is ‘Izzy.’ It will be a rematch and the only guys that deserves Africa are the two Africans, the true Africans, nobody else.”

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TOP STORIES

Champs. Dricus du Plessis responds to Alex Pereira’s middleweight threats: ‘You do not want to be in there with me’

Aftermath. Israel Adesanya addresses ‘mistake’ that cost him UFC 305 fight against Dricus du Plessis

Rematch. Dricus du Plessis asks if Sean Strickland wants to ‘cry again,’ says Robert Whittaker more deserving of title shot

Response. ‘Dricus still sucks’: Pros react to Dricus du Plessis stopping Israel Adesanya at UFC 305

Wild. Valter Walker furious after Junior Tafa post-fight UFC 305 slap, demands brother Justin next

Request. Kai Kara-France calls for title shot after UFC 305, tells Kai Asakura ‘you’ve got to earn it’

Moves. Casey O’Neill on Raygun post-fight UFC 305 celebration: ‘I did better than she did’

$$$. UFC 305 bonuses: Gamrot vs. Hooker earns Fight of the Night

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LET’S WATCH

UFC 305 Post Show.

UFC 305 Post-Fight Scrums.

On To the Next One.

Noche UFC Promo.

Greatest KOs in Every UFC Division’s History.

PFL Hollywood Highlights.

PFL Fight Camps.

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MORNING MUSIC

Go to Twitter, use the #MorningReport hashtag, or find one of my tweets with it, and drop me a jam you’re currently really into. I’ll pick the best one alongside my daily choice and give you a shoutout! You can also share in the comments below — those are just harder to sift through sometimes!

This month’s full playlist:

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SOCIAL SCROLL DOWN

Fearless.

Ribas commentary.

Moments.

Sights.

Bullet’s bullets.

Stamp smiles.

Light heavyweight.

Clang.

Fight outside the cage.

The one and only.

It’s been a run.

This guy is something else.

Technique.

Tease.

Unamused.

Cheers, buddy.

Callout.

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FIGHT ANNOUNCEMENTS

Stephen Thompson (17-7-1) vs. Joaquin Buckley (19-6); UFC 307, Oct. 5

Alex Pereira (11-2) vs. Khalil Rountree Jr. (13-5); UFC 307, Oct. 5

Raquel Pennington (16-8) vs. Julianna Peña (10-5); UFC 307, Oct. 5

Roman Dolidze (13-3) vs. Kevin Holland (26-11); UFC 307, Oct. 5

Ibo Aslan (13-1) vs. Raffael Cerqueira (11-0); UFC 308, Oct. 26

Caio Machado (8-3-1) vs. Brendson Ribeiro (15-7); UFC Edmonton, Nov. 2

Mackenzie Dern (14-5) vs. Amanda Ribas (12-5); UFC Tampa, Dec. 14

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FINAL THOUGHTS

I refute any fight for Pereira that isn’t Magomed Ankalaev until it happens. Plain and simple.

Thanks for reading!

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POLL POSITION

Last Week’s Results:

Friday: 58% of 272 total votes answered “No” when asked, “Will Sean O’Malley ever have a pro boxing match?”

Thursday: 84% of 293 total votes answered “No” when asked, “Will Jake Paul face a traditional boxer after his Mike Tyson match?”

Wednesday: 51% of 300 total votes answered “Yes” when asked, “Will Belal Muhammad defend his title before 2025?”

Tuesday: 63% of 453 total votes answered “Yes” when asked, “Will Robert Whittaker get the next title shot if he defeats Khamzat Chimaev at UFC 308?”

Monday: 61% of 599 total votes answered “Dricus du Plessis” when asked, “Who wins this weekend?” du Plessis defeated Israel Adesanya via fourth-round face crank at 3:38 in UFC 305’s main event.

Today’s exit poll:

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