.Aug 12, 2024, 10:00 AM ETThere's something special regarding a combined fighting styles event Down Under.Maybe it's the moment warp a N. United States fan experiences while enjoying matches on TV on a Saturday night and also realizing that they are actually occurring the following early morning, true time. That's about as disorienting as being cageside in Australia as well as recognizing that enthusiasts halfway worldwide are actually watching the fisticuffs stay ... final night.Or maybe it is actually something else that makes watching mixed martial arts battles in Australia believe so unconventional. Perhaps it is actually the battles on their own, which frequently have various exclamation points affixed. Anyone adhering to the sport for a number of years has seen the truth twists that may emanate coming from cage matches in this edge of the Southern Hemisphere.Mark Pursuit as well as Antonio "Bigfoot" Silva gave an occupation's really worth of big-time harm on each other during one remarkable night in Brisbane in 2013. A record-setting night (early morning?) in Sydney a year later on, with 11 battles as well as 11 coatings. And, naturally, Holly Holm kicking Ronda Rousey off her high equine at UFC 193 in 2015 in Melbourne. That celebration developed a provider attendance file that stood up up until the Octagon was actually reminded Melbourne in 2019 and also 57,127 filled Marvel Stadium to check out Israel Adesanya knock out Robert Whittaker as well as come to be middleweight champion.When the eight-sided cage go back to Australia on Sunday, the former two-time champ will definitely challenge Dricus Du Plessis generally occasion of UFC 305 in Perth. Vulnerable will certainly be not simply a glossy strap however the take pride in of a continent 5,000 kilometers away, as each competitors are originated in Africa, though along with far various life experiences.That's the origin of just one of numerous interesting stories that are going to participate in out this weekend. Right here are actually five traits to watch for at UFC 305. That will gain the home on a distant shore? 1. Middleweight championship: Dricus Du Plessis (c) vs. Israel AdesanyaIsrael Adesanya squares off with Dricus Du Plessis in the main activity at UFC 305. Picture by Will Russell/Zuffa LLCSaturday's main event resides in Western Australia, although the touchy turf battle is hooked up to a land on the far side of the Indian Sea. Du Plessis was actually birthed and still stays in South Africa. Adesanya was birthed in Nigeria as well as moved with his household to New Zealand when he was actually 10 years aged. Because of those inconsonant lifestyle courses, Du Plessis as soon as declared, "I am the African competitor in the UFC." That did not sit well with Adesanya, that has mentioned his loved ones departed in search of academic opportunities.Editor's Picks1 RelatedIf there is actually a grudge contributed to the already skyscraping concerns, so be it. It is actually not an essential ingredient to create this an interesting battle, but allowed's not fail to remember that the last time Adesanya remained in an animosity-fueled match, he designated on Paulo Costa just before knocking him out in 2020. His one KO ever since happened versus Alex Pereira in 2014, 5 months after Pereira had KO 'd him. So "The Last Stylebender" has actually presented a crave the get-back, particularly versus powerful aggressors. Can Adesanya's counterpunching cease the quick regime of Du Plessis, that has bulldozed his method to nine victories in a row?Which restoring task will stand tall? 2. Guy's flyweight: Kai Kara-France vs. Steve ErcegThe first two opportunities Kara-France completed in the UFC, the matches happened in Australia and he was actually kind of the nearby guy. He's actually from New Zealand, 1,300 miles throughout the Tasman Sea, however his enemies were coming from the opposite side of the planet, the USA and South America. This moment, however, it's an away ready Kara-France, as Erceg was actually born in Perth and also stays twenty moments from RAC Arena. Erceg has actually battled in his home town six times, but all before his signing with the UFC last summer months. He is actually brought in merely four trips inside the Octagon as well as currently has competed for the 125-pound title.That last aspect highlights just how this battle, like the centerpiece, concerns much more than geography. Erceg, 29, was using an 11-fight winning streak when he unsuccessfully tested Alexandre Pantoja in May. Kara-France, 31, made a bid for an interim waistband in 2022, shedding by TKO to ex-champ Brandon Moreno. Both Kara-France as well as Erceg remain in reconstructing mode. A loss listed below would certainly certainly not be actually the end of the roadway towards competitor condition, yet it could send out that competitor on a preventing detour.Can most of us simply delight in an opening great time? 3. Heavyweight: Tai Tuivasa vs. Jairzinho RozenstruikTai Tuivasa hopes to finish a four-fight losing touch at UFC 305 on Saturday night. Photograph by Jeff Bottari/Zuffa LLC through Getty ImagesI feel regretful for caring Tuivasa fights as long as I do. Sure, I love checking out a carefully tuned professional athlete display technical battle abilities in causing damage and turning off what a rival can toss their means. That's the blended martial arts I fit being an enthusiast of. Yet I simply can not avert coming from a slobber knocker, which is what Tuivasa consistently promises.Top stories of the full week from Receive unique access to countless premium articles a year from best authors. u2022 MLB predictions: Will Judge hit 60 HRs? "u2022 Barnwell: NFL playoff staffs to return "u2022 Final CFB preseason SP+ rankings" Additional ESPN+ material ".What the Aussie can not consistently promise, of course, is his fantastically disgusting postfight festivity, the shoey. The draft beer as well as footwear come out merely in triumph, as well as Tuivasa has actually lost four battles straight. But here's one thing worthy of celebrating, also just before the initial haymaker is flung by these heavy-handed heavyweights: the matchmaking. Rozenstruik can open for the fences like Tuivasa, thus this one should be enjoyable while it lasts.Will this degree improvement prosper? 4. Lightweight: Mateusz Gamrot vs. Dan HookerI was actually starting to obtain worried for Hooker-- identical to the nerves of enjoying Tony Ferguson compete at 40 years old. Whore is only 34 and also his skid had not been quite as saddening, however during an extent from June 2020 with March 2022, he went down 4 of 5 fights, obtaining ended up in every yet among the reductions. It ought to be taken note that those defeats came versus Islam Makhachev, Dustin Poirier, Michael Chandler and also Arnold Allen-- not a tomato can easily one of all of them. As well as Courtesan has actually considering that rebounded along with a set of victories over enemies a step lower on the step ladder (Jalin Turner, Claudio Puelles). The issue for Whore is actually that this fight places him straight back at the top amount of competition. Gamrot has actually gained seven of 8 fights as well as performs the edge of the title photo. Will he be too much for Whore, or will Gamrot acquire poked out of the frame?One fighter's ceiling is actually yet another competitor's ... ceiling? 5. Women's flyweight: Casey O'Neill vs. Luana SantosO'Neill was 9-0 after she succeeded her fourth straight UFC match in very early 2022, and also viewers were beginning to guess on where her roof was. But now she is on a two-fight skid, and the guessing problems just how much her falloff may be. At the same time, Santos is actually 3 matches into her UFC round, riding a five-fight winning touch and appearing like a rising prospect. This is an appropriate test for both ladies, an amount setter. O'Neill is actually 26 years old, while Santos is simply 24. So their story might weave for many years.