.Aug 12, 2024, 10:00 AM ETThere's one thing exclusive about a blended fighting styles activity Down Under.Maybe it's the amount of time warp a N. American enthusiast knowledge while watching fights on TV on a Saturday night and realizing that they are actually happening the following early morning, local time. That has to do with as disorienting as being cageside in Australia and also understanding that fans halfway worldwide are viewing the fights stay ... last night.Or maybe it is actually one thing else that creates checking out MMA fights in Australia believe so unusual. Probably it is actually the matches on their own, which often have a number of exclamation points connected. Anybody complying with the sporting activity for several years has actually witnessed the truth spins that may originate from cage fights in this particular section of the Southern Hemisphere.Mark Hunt and also Antonio "Bigfoot" Silva delivered an occupation's worth of big-time harm on one another in the course of one memorable evening in Brisbane in 2013. A record-setting night (morning?) in Sydney a year later, with 11 fights and also 11 surfaces. And, obviously, Holly Holm kicking Ronda Rousey off her high equine at UFC 193 in 2015 in Melbourne. That event set up a firm appearance file that stood up until the Octagon was brought back to Melbourne in 2019 as well as 57,127 filled up Wonder Coliseum to enjoy Israel Adesanya knock out Robert Whittaker as well as become middleweight champion.When the eight-sided cage returns to Australia on Saturday, the previous two-time champ will certainly challenge Dricus Du Plessis generally activity of UFC 305 in Perth. On the line is going to be certainly not merely a shiny strap but the satisfaction of a continent 5,000 kilometers away, as each fighters are actually embeded in Africa, though with far various life experiences.That's the origin of merely one of many interesting storylines that will definitely participate in out this weekend break. Listed below are 5 points to watch for at UFC 305. Who will win over the homeland on a distant bank? 1. Middleweight championship: Dricus Du Plessis (c) vs. Israel AdesanyaIsrael Adesanya squares off with Dricus Du Plessis in the main celebration at UFC 305. Photo by Willpower Russell/Zuffa LLCSaturday's main event resides in Western Australia, although the touchy territory struggle is actually linked to an arrive on the far side of the Indian Ocean. Du Plessis was born as well as still stays in South Africa. Adesanya was actually born in Nigeria and also relocated with his loved ones to New Zealand when he was ten years old. Taking into account those inconsonant lifestyle courses, Du Plessis as soon as declared, "I am the African boxer in the UFC." That did certainly not sit well with Adesanya, who possesses claimed his loved ones emigrated seeking academic opportunities.Editor's Picks1 RelatedIf there is actually a grudge included in the presently skyscraping concerns, so be it. It's certainly not an essential substance to create this an appealing match, but permitted's certainly not forget that the final opportunity Adesanya resided in an animosity-fueled competition, he styled on Paulo Costa before taking him out in 2020. His one KO since then happened against Alex Pereira in 2014, five months after Pereira possessed KO 'd him. So "The Final Stylebender" has shown a thirst for the get-back, especially against strong aggressors. Can Adesanya's counterpunching cease the short reign of Du Plessis, who has bulldozed his means to nine triumphes in a row?Which restoring project will courageous? 2. Male's flyweight: Kai Kara-France vs. Steve ErcegThe initially two opportunities Kara-France contended in the UFC, the matches occurred in Australia as well as he was actually kind of the nearby man. He's really from New Zealand, 1,300 kilometers all over the Tasman Sea, but his opponents were actually from the opposite of the globe, the USA as well as Brazil. This time, however, it's an away game for Kara-France, as Erceg was born in Perth and resides 20 minutes from RAC Arena. Erceg has combated in his hometown 6 opportunities, but all just before his signing with the UFC final summer season. He is actually created simply four trips inside the Octagon and also presently has actually contended for the 125-pound title.That final aspect highlights how this match, like the centerpiece, is about greater than geography. Erceg, 29, was using an 11-fight winning touch when he unsuccessfully challenged Alexandre Pantoja in May. Kara-France, 31, tried for an interim belt in 2022, losing through TKO to ex-champ Brandon Moreno. Both Kara-France and Erceg remain in fixing method. A loss listed here would not be actually completion of the roadway toward contender status, however it could send that competitor on a discouraging detour.Can we all simply delight in a swinging good time? 3. Heavyweight: Tai Tuivasa vs. Jairzinho RozenstruikTai Tuivasa seeks to finish a four-fight losing streak at UFC 305 on Sunday evening. Image through Jeff Bottari/Zuffa LLC using Getty ImagesI feel apologetic for caring Tuivasa battles as long as I perform. Certain, I enjoy viewing a carefully tuned professional athlete show off technical fight skills in delivering damages and turning off what a rival can easily toss their means. That is actually the mixed fighting styles I'm comfortable being a fan of. But I just can not turn away from a slobber knocker, which is what Tuivasa regularly promises.Top tales of the week coming from Obtain unique access to thousands of fee posts a year from best authors. u2022 MLB predictions: Will Court hit 60 HRs? "u2022 Barnwell: NFL playoff groups to come back "u2022 Final CFB preseason SP+ positions" More ESPN+ information ".What the Aussie can easily certainly not always assure, certainly, is his delightfully revolting postfight celebration, the shoey. The draft beer and also shoes emerge simply in success, and Tuivasa has actually shed 4 battles in a row. Yet listed below's something worthy of commemorating, also before the 1st haymaker is actually affaired through these heavy-handed heavyweights: the matchmaking. Rozenstruik can swing for the fencings like Tuivasa, thus this should be enjoyable while it lasts.Will this degree adjustment succeed? 4. Lightweight: Mateusz Gamrot vs. Dan HookerI was starting to obtain concerned for Courtesan-- similar to the nerves of enjoying Tony Ferguson compete at 40 years of ages. Concubine is actually simply 34 and also his skid wasn't rather as saddening, yet during the course of an extent from June 2020 through March 2022, he fell 4 of five fights, acquiring finished with all but some of the losses. It ought to be actually noted that those defeats happened against Islam Makhachev, Dustin Poirier, Michael Chandler as well as Arnold Allen-- not a tomato can among them. And also Courtesan has actually considering that gotten better with a set of victories over challengers a step lower on the step ladder (Jalin Turner, Claudio Puelles). The concern for Hooker is that this battle puts him straight back at the top level of competition. Gamrot has actually gained seven of 8 battles as well as performs the edge of the headline image. Will he be too much for Courtesan, or will Gamrot acquire pushed out of the frame?One fighter's roof is actually an additional competitor's ... ceiling? 5. Female's flyweight: Casey O'Neill vs. Luana SantosO'Neill was 9-0 after she gained her 4th straight UFC match in early 2022, and also viewers were actually beginning to hypothesize on where her ceiling was. Now she gets on a two-fight skid, and also the guesswork problems exactly how far her falloff may be. On the other hand, Santos is actually three battles right into her UFC round, riding a five-fight winning streak and resembling a climbing prospect. This is a suitable exam for both ladies, a degree setter. O'Neill is actually 26 years of ages, while Santos is just 24. So their storyline could possibly twist and turn for a long times.