UFC middleweight champion Dricus du Plessis may have opened as a clear underdog for his first 185-pound title defense against former champ Israel Adesanya at UFC 305 this weekend, but the betting line at UFC sportsbooks is narrowing as the fight draws near. Adesanya is still the favorite at -115, but the line on du Plessis shrank to +100 late in the week.
Du Plessis vs. Adesanya analysis
The middleweight title fight headlines UFC 305 from Perth, Australia, airing as a primetime pay-per-view on Saturday night in North America but going off on Sunday morning locally. Adesanya, who lives and trains in New Zealand, will be the crowd favorite, but du Plessis comes in with the title after his split-decision win over then-champion Sean Strickland in January.
Adesanya’s reputation as a skilled and dangerous counter-striker was well-established during his long title reign. When he can control the range in a fight, he has a way of taking control and forcing opponents to make mistakes as they charge in to close the distance.
Du Plessis has found success more with power than precision. He’s opened as an underdog for almost all of his fights against top middleweights, but he has never lost in the UFC.
Aside from punching power, du Plessis brings an awkward style that has proven difficult for some opponents to adjust to. Adesanya tends to be at his best when he can turn an opponent’s aggression against him, but that plan backfired in his last fight with Strickland.
If du Plessis can get to Adesanya early, as Strickland did, he could rock him before the former champ has a chance to get going. The challenge will be finding a way to move forward and stay aggressive without walking straight into the teeth of Adesanya’s offense.
UFC 305 odds and fight card
How to watch UFC 305
- Early prelims — 6:30 p.m. ET, ESPN+
- Prelims — 8 p.m. ET, ESPN/ESPN+
- Main card — 10 p.m. ET, ESPN+ pay-per-view
