UFC 305 LIVE: Adesanya vs Du Plessis start time, card, fight updates and results tonight

Israel Adesanya tearfully took umbrage with a claim by his opponent Dricus Du Plessis on Friday, ahead of the pair’s UFC 305 main event.

Tonight, former two-time champion Adesanya will challenge Du Plessis for the middleweight title in Perth, Australia, as they look to settle a year-long grudge.

That grudge began when Du Plessis vowed to become the first “real African” UFC champion. The South African clarified that he meant the first not only to have been born in Africa but also to have trained there throughout his career.

Adesanya, born in Nigeria and representing New Zealand, took issue with that claim last summer in a heated face-to-face. And on Friday, the matter arose again at the UFC 305 pre-fight press conference.

“He touched a subject there, because I do this for my family,” Adesanya said tearfully. “I do this for the people I love, and I’ll fight for you forever – I swear to God,” he added, pointing at the front row.

The card will air live on TNT Sports in the UK, with the broadcaster’s app and website also streaming the fights. Discovery+ will also air the action in the UK. In the US, ESPN+ will stream the event live, as will the UFC’s Fight Pass.

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UFC 305 will take place at the RAC Arena in Perth, Australia.

The early prelims will begin at 11.30pm BST (3.30pm PT / 5.30pm CT / 6.30pm ET), with the regular prelims following at 1am BST on Sunday (5pm PT / 7pm CT / 8pm ET on Saturday). The main card is then scheduled for 3am BST on Sunday (7pm PT / 9pm CT / 10pm ET on Saturday).

Our round-by-round live updates will begin with the regular prelims at 1am BST on Sunday. At that time, we’ll also provide a round-up of the results from the early prelims!

Dricus Du Plessis (C) vs Israel Adesanya (middleweight title)

Kai Kara-France vs Steve Erceg (flyweight)

Mateusz Gamrot vs Dan Hooker (lightweight)

Tai Tuivasa vs Jairzinho Rozenstruik (heavyweight)

Li Jingliang vs Carlos Prates (welterweight)

Junior Tafa vs Valter Walker (heavyweight)

Josh Culibao vs Ricardo Ramos (featherweight)

Casey O’Neill vs Luana Santos (women’s flyweight)

Jack Jenkins vs Herbert Burns (featherweight)

Tom Nolan vs Alex Reyes (lightweight)

Song Kenan vs Ricky Glenn (welterweight)

Stewart Nicoll vs Jesus Aguilar (flyweight)

The South African stressed that he meant the first not only to have been born on the continent but also to have trained there throughout his career. However, Nigerian-born Adesanya – who represents New Zealand – took umbrage with that claim. The matter arose again at Thursday’s press conference, as Adesanya burst into tears while calling out Du Plessis.

The pair will settle their grudge tonight, with the middleweight belt on the line in Perth. In the co-main event, flyweight contenders Steve Erceg and Kai Kara-France square off in an Australia vs New Zealand match-up.