Adesanya, who had never been submitted before, was forced to tap out 3:36 into Round 4. Du Plessis faced significant challenges throughout the fight. Adesanya targeted his body with powerful hooks and precise kicks, attacked his legs, and unleashed sharp combinations to the head. But Du Plessis refused to back down.
He secured multiple takedowns—foreshadowing the outcome by threatening Adesanya’s neck in the first round—and landed heavy punches to the head. Midway through the fourth round, Du Plessis put Adesanya on the defensive, landing three consecutive right hands that sent him to the mat. Wasting no time, Du Plessis took his back, secured his hooks, and locked in the choke before Adesanya could react.
