The eagerly anticipated UFC 305 card, featuring South African Dricus Du Plessis takes place in Perth at the RAC Arena on Sunday the 18th of August. South Africans will need to get up early with the Du Plessis Adesanya bout scheduled for a 05h20 start.
We look closely at the main event where Dricus Du Plessis defends his title against Israel Adesanya, as well as 2 other fights on the card from a betting perspective.
Click here to bet on the full fight card
DRICUS DU PLESSIS vs ISRAEL ADESANYA
Middleweight Title Fight:
Dricus Du Plessis is a South African fighter who is known for his brutal striking and his overall endurance. He entered the UFC in 2020 and since then he has been extremely successful, winning all 7 of his fights to date.
He impressed from his debut and it took him just 6 fights to get a title shot, which took place against Sean Strickland at UFC 297 in January. The fight was a battle between two fighters with contrasting styles but in the end a bloodied Du Plessis won by decision and claimed the Middleweight belt.
Look out for a grand entrance from this World Sports Betting backed fighter who we understand will be led into the ring by Springbok legends Siya Kolisi and Eben Etzebeth who are in town for the 2nd Rugby Championship test against Australia.
Israel Adesanya, fighting out of New Zealand, is a Nigerian born fighter who has made a name for himself in an impressive career. He possesses excellent stamina, and he is known for his effective striking and his kick boxing background means he is capable of dropping an opponent from distance.
He has fought 16 times since 2018, winning 13 and his only losses have been in title fights of which he has participated in 11 times. His most recent fight was against Sean Strickland last year September where he lost by decision, losing the title he held at the time. He had entered the Octagon as a firm favourite with the bookies.
BETTING – click here to bet
Du Plessis – 2.00
Adesanya – 1.85
PREDICTION:
Du Plessis showed his ability to take punishment but keep on moving forward against Strickland and I think he will have to do more of the same here against the dangerous Adesanya.
He will be looking to exhaust his opponent with take downs while avoiding his opponents lethal kick.
I am going for a Du Plessis win by decision.
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KAI KARA-FRANCE vs STEVE ERCEG
Flyweight Co-Main Event:
Kai Kara-France is a fighter from New Zealand who is talented in the field of striking. He has been in the organisation since 2018 and he has fought 11 times, winning 7 and losing on 4 occasions.
He has had a hard time finding form as of late and he has lost 2 of his last 3 fights with the last time he won being in March 2022. His most recent fight took place over a year ago, where he lost to Amir Albazi by decision.
Steve Erceg, fighting on home turf this weekend, is a well-known striker who can certainly go the distance if needs be. He has been in the UFC for just over a year so far and has been on great form.
He won his first 3 fights, which then led him to take on Alexandre Pantoja in his most recent fight which was a title shot. Unfortunately despite Erceg lasting the 5 rounds, he lost by decision, leaving him on a career record of 3 wins and 1 loss.
BETTING – click here to bet
Kara-France – 2.35
Erceg – 1.60
PREDICTION:
Erceg at 29 is in his prime and I believe he will bounce back from that title fight loss and will win by decision.
MATEUSZ GAMROT vs DAN HOOKER
Lightweight Fight:
Mateusz Gamrot, fighting out of Poland is a fighter who has fought 9 times within the organisation, and he has won 7 and lost just 2. His most recent fight was against Rafael Dos Anjos where he won by decision in March this year, however in previous fights he has been seen dealing in powerful strikes and is well capable of finishing fights inside the distance.
Dan Hooker is a fighter from New Zealand with over a decade in UFC experience. He has fought 21 times, winning 13 of these and losing 8. His most recent fight was against Jalin Turner at UFC 290, where the fight came down to decision and Hooker got the nod from the judges.
BETTING – click here to bet
Gamrot – 1.30
Hooker – 3.50
PREDICTION:
I believe that Gamrot will take control early landing some heavy blows and will win the fight by TKO in round 2.
SUGGESTED BETS:
Du Plessis vs Adesanya
Du Plessis to win by decision at 7/2
Kara-France vs Erceg
Erceg by decision at 13/10
Gamrot vs Hooker
Gamrot by KO at 13/2
The win treble of Du Plessis, Erceg and Gamrot all to win works out at a tasty 3/1
TREBLE: Du Plessis, Erceg and Gamrot to win (draw not quoted) at 3/1 – you can use this code to populate your bet slip 13761313
The treble of all 3 of our selections works out to a monster 76/1
TREBLE: Du Plessis & Erceg by decision, Gamrot by KO at 76/1 – use this code to populate your bets slip 13858288
Note: Prices correct at time of writing but subject to change.
