UFC 305 is shaping up to be an electrifying night of fights, featuring a stacked card that promises action from start to finish. Headlining the event is a highly anticipated middleweight showdown between Dricus Du Plessis and Israel Adesanya, where two elite fighters will battle for supremacy. In the flyweight division, rising star Steve Erceg faces off against powerhouse Kai Kara-France, while Mateusz Gamrot takes on the always-dangerous Dan Hooker in a lightweight clash. Heavyweights Tai Tuivasa and Jairzinho Rozenstruik are set to deliver fireworks, and welterweight contenders Li Jingliang and Carlos Prates will kick off the main card in what promises to be a thrilling contest.
Middleweight Championship
Dricus Du Plessis (-105) vs. Israel Adesanya (-115)
DDP and Izzy genuinely have bad blood, which generally leads to insteresting fights. DDP claims he is the "King of Africa" after winning the Middleweight belt against Sean Strickland. Adesanya did not take those comments lightly. Du Plessis is from South Africa and Adesanya is from Nigeria, which is why it led to those comments. DDP is coming off two impressive victories against Robert Whittaker and Sean Strickland, although the Strickland fight could've gone either way. I have a strong belief that this fight will come down to the judges. Adesanya picks apart DDP slowly while avoiding the the fence and potential takedowns, which will most likely lead to a boring Adesanya decision. For our sake, I hope it's not boring.
Prediction: Adesanya def. Du Plessis (Unanimous Decision)
Flyweight Bout
Steve Erceg (-175) vs. Kai Kara-France (+145)
Flyweight fights are always exciting and full of fast action. This bout will be no different, expect fireworks. Both fighters are capable of putting each other out with one punch. The size difference is pretty substantial in this match, with Erceg holding 4 inches on Kara-France. Erceg nearly beat Pantoja in their championship fight, which leads me to lean toward Erceg not having much trouble with Kara-France. Kara-France is a tough son of a gun with a big heart, I don't believe he will be put away. Erceg will have to earn everything.
Prediction: Erceg def. Kara-France (Unanimous Decision)
Lightweight Bout
Mateusz Gamrot (-380) vs. Dan Hooker (+280)
This is a matchup nightmare for Dan Hooker but Dan will fight anyone. Gamrot knows that if he shoots takedowns and wrestles with Hooker, he will have an easy night. The most likely scenario in my mind is exactly that, Gamrot pinning Hooker to the fence over and over with relentless takedowns. Unanimous decision victory for Gamrot followed with boo's from the Aussie crowd.
Prediction: Gamrot def. Hooker (Unanimous Decision)
Heavyweight Bout
Tai Tuivasa (+195) vs. Jairzinho Rozenstruik (-240)
A great matchup put together by Hunter Campbell for this heavyweight fight. The big boys will be coming out with haymakers, someone is going out quick. Tuivasa needs to resurrect himself quickly before he gets the boot from the UFC. After KO'ing Derrick Lewis, Tai has lost 4 straight fights, some in ugly fashion. The odds may be in Rozenstruik's favor, but I am not taking -240. Give me Bam-Bam.
Prediction: Tuivasa def. Rozenstruik (KO/TKO – Round 1)
Welterweight Bout
Li Jingliang (+270) vs. Carlos Prates (-360)
It's been nearly two years since The Leech stepped into the cage. Jingliang had some hype before facing off with Khamzat Chimaev, but he is 1-1 since that fight, arguably winning his last bout against Daniel Rodriguez. Many fans called that result a robbery. Unfortunetely for The Leech, he has quite a tough opponent on the other side in Carlos Prates. Prates has racked up 9 wins in a row, with 8 of those ending in knockouts. He clesrly hasn't showed signs of slowing down. It could be a quick night for The Leech but he won't go out easily.
Prediction: Prates def. Jingliang (KO/TKO - Round 2)
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