Fan reaction after Israel Adesanya's loss to Dricus du Plessis at UFC 305

Israel Adesanya's post-fight interview after his loss to Dricus du Plessis at UFC 305 has stirred up a lot of conversation among fans.

In the co-main event in Perth, Australia, Adesanya was submitted in the fourth round by Du Plessis, who applied a rear naked choke and face crank to secure the win.

This marked a tough second consecutive loss for Adesanya, who had previously lost his UFC Middleweight Championship to Sean Strickland in September 2023.

Adesanya had been given an immediate rematch by UFC president Dana White to reclaim his title. However, the 35-year-old was unable to seize the opportunity, with Du Plessis proving too strong on the night.

"I feel like I still made history tonight. I've never lost two in a row!" he noted.

"I lost my fight in the worst fashion, and I was just like, this is my first time getting submitted. I know the history - wow, amazing. Just keep doing it bro, I'm just f***ing great at this."

Fan reaction

Fans have been buzzing not only about the fight's outcome but also about a key moment in Adesanya's post-fight interview. While some praised him for his humility in defeat, others voiced concerns about his future in the UFC after back-to-back losses.

"Izzy was still very impressive tonight. DDP just has a weird way of winning in the ugliest way possible," an X wrote.

Another added: "He's taking this one very well. We will see how long it lasts. I think he can accept this easier because he knows he trained properly, and was fully prepared. Just wasn't the better man tonight. I'm very happy we didn't see him retire."

Adding to the discussion was a moment during the fight that caught the attention of viewers. Just before Du Plessis secured the submission, Adesanya was knocked down by a punch and, while on one knee, he pointed to the mat and yelled, "Stand up and fight!"

This gesture, briefly mentioned in the broadcast, has sparked various interpretations from fans, with some seeing it as a bold challenge and others as a sign of frustration.

Adesanya had been behind on two of the three judges' scorecards heading into the fourth round, but the submission loss rendered those scores moot.