UFC 305 Preview and Predictions By Brett Cagle
(c.) Dricus Du Plessis (21-2) vs #2 Israel Adesanya (24-3)
A monumental title fight between current middleweight champion Dricus Du Plessis and former champion Israel Adesanya will headline UFC 305. Du Plessis captured the title in a five-round war with the last man to defeat Adesanya, Sean Strickland. Being one of the most well-rounded fighters in the division, Du Plessis will want to take this fight down, as he has 10 submission wins. Currently, oddsmakers have this fight, even money at online sportsbooks.
Adesanya is one of the greatest kickboxers in MMA history and will become the division's first three-time champion with a victory Saturday night. If Du Plessis can’t get the fight to the ground, Adesanya may put on a historic performance. With both fighters having bad blood, look for the champion Du Plessis to come out extremely aggressive, which may play into Adesanya's counter-striking game plan.
Prediction: Israel Adesanya by KO/TKO
Kai Kara-France (24-11) vs Steve Erceg (12-2)
A compelling flyweight contest between Kai Kara-France and Steve Erceg will serve as UFC 305’s co-main event. Erceg narrowly lost a decision for the title in his last fight against Alexandre Pantoja. Kara-France is an impressive striker who is 3-2 in his previous five. Erceg enters this matchup as a (-170) betting favorite.
Erceg will have an advantage not only on the ground but also while standing. Erceg is the taller fighter by four inches and has a tremendous jab. Erceg has six submission wins on the ground, while Kara-France has already been tapped out three times in his career. This could be competitive on the feet, but I’ll side with Erceg's potential.
Prediction: Steve Erceg by Decision
Mateusz Gamrot (24-2) vs Dan Hooker (23-12)
Also, on the UFC 305 main card, we have a classic striker vs grappler matchup between Lightweight contenders. Poland's Mateusz Gamrot is one of the best grapplers in the division and holds impressive wins over Amran Tsarukyan, Rafael Fiziev, and Jalin Turner. Hooker is known for his all-action style, which has made him a household name amongst fight fans. Currently, oddsmakers favor Gamrot (-350) in online sportsbooks.
On the feet, Hooker has his best chance for success, where he will have a 4.5-inch reach advantage. Gamrot has tremendous cardio and lands over five takedowns on average in his UFC performances. Gamrot will control this fight and do enough to earn a hard-fought decision win.