.Aug 12, 2024, 10:00 AM ETThere's something special concerning a mixed martial arts event Down Under.Maybe it's the time warp a Northern United States fan knowledge while checking out battles on television on a Sunday night and discovering that they are actually happening the following morning, local time. That concerns as disorienting as being cageside in Australia and also recognizing that enthusiasts midway worldwide are actually watching the fisticuffs reside ... final night.Or possibly it's one thing else that creates watching MMA fights in Australia experience so unusual. Perhaps it is the battles themselves, which commonly possess multiple vociferation points attached. Any individual complying with the sporting activity for numerous years has witnessed the reality spins that can emanate from cage matches in this particular edge of the Southern Hemisphere.Mark Hunt and also Antonio "Bigfoot" Silva delivered a career's well worth of big-time damage on one another during one extraordinary night in Brisbane in 2013. A record-setting evening (morning?) in Sydney a year eventually, with 11 battles and 11 appearances. And, certainly, Holly Holm kicking Ronda Rousey off her higher steed at UFC 193 in 2015 in Melbourne. That occasion set up a provider participation record that stood up until the Octagon was actually brought back to Melbourne in 2019 and 57,127 filled up Marvel Arena to check out Israel Adesanya knock out Robert Whittaker as well as become middleweight champion.When the eight-sided cage returns to Australia on Saturday, the past two-time champ will certainly test Dricus Du Plessis in the main occasion of UFC 305 in Perth. On the line will certainly be actually not simply a bright strap yet the honor of a continent 5,000 miles away, as both fighters are actually originated in Africa, though along with much various life experiences.That's the genesis of only among numerous interesting stories that are going to participate in out this weekend. Listed here are five traits to expect at UFC 305. Who will draw the birthplace on a distant bank? 1. Middleweight champion: Dricus Du Plessis (c) vs. Israel AdesanyaIsrael Adesanya squares off with Dricus Du Plessis in the main celebration at UFC 305. Picture through Will Russell/Zuffa LLCSaturday's centerpiece is in Western Australia, although the sensitive territory fight is linked to a land on the much side of the Indian Sea. Du Plessis was birthed and also still lives in South Africa. Adesanya was birthed in Nigeria and moved with his family to New Zealand when he was one decade old. In light of those disparate lifestyle pathways, Du Plessis when announced, "I am actually the African boxer in the UFC." That carried out certainly not agree with Adesanya, that possesses said his loved ones moved abroad looking for academic opportunities.Editor's Picks1 RelatedIf there's an animosity contributed to the actually lofty concerns, therefore be it. It is actually not a needed substance to create this a fascinating fight, but allowed's certainly not forget that the last time Adesanya was in an animosity-fueled competition, he styled on Paulo Costa just before knocking him out in 2020. His one KO ever since happened against Alex Pereira in 2015, 5 months after Pereira possessed KO 'd him. So "The Last Stylebender" has actually revealed a thirst for the get-back, specifically against powerful assailants. Can Adesanya's counterpunching quit the quick regime of Du Plessis, that possesses bulldozed his means to 9 victories in a row?Which restoring project will courageous? 2. Guy's flyweight: Kai Kara-France vs. Steve ErcegThe initially two opportunities Kara-France completed in the UFC, the battles took place in Australia as well as he was kind of the nearby fella. He's in fact from New Zealand, 1,300 miles around the Tasman Ocean, but his challengers were coming from the other side of the world, the USA and South America. This time, though, it is actually an away game for Kara-France, as Erceg was born in Perth and also resides twenty minutes coming from RAC Stadium. Erceg has dealt with in his hometown 6 opportunities, however all prior to his finalizing with the UFC final summer. He is actually created only 4 vacations inside the Octagon as well as already has competed for the 125-pound title.That last point highlights how this battle, like the main event, has to do with much more than geography. Erceg, 29, was actually riding an 11-fight winning streak when he unsuccessfully tested Alexandre Pantoja in Might. Kara-France, 31, tried for an acting belt in 2022, shedding by TKO to ex-champ Brandon Moreno. Both Kara-France as well as Erceg are in rebuilding mode. A reduction listed below would certainly not be actually the end of the roadway towards competitor condition, however it could send out that boxer on a preventing detour.Can all of us just appreciate a turning happy times? 3. Big-time: Tai Tuivasa vs. Jairzinho RozenstruikTai Tuivasa aims to finish a four-fight losing touch at UFC 305 on Sunday evening. Photograph by Jeff Bottari/Zuffa LLC via Getty ImagesI feel regretful for caring Tuivasa battles as high as I perform. Certain, I love checking out a carefully tuned sportsmen flaunt technical battle abilities in inflicting harm and also turning off what a challenger may toss their technique. That is actually the mixed martial arts I'm comfortable being a supporter of. Yet I merely can not avert from a slobber knocker, which is what Tuivasa always promises.Top tales of the full week coming from Obtain exclusive access to lots of superior posts a year from best writers. u2022 MLB prophecies: Will Court attacked 60 Humans resources? "u2022 Barnwell: NFL playoff groups to return "u2022 Final CFB preseason SP+ positions" More ESPN+ information ".What the Aussie can easily certainly not constantly promise, of course, is his fantastically revolting postfight occasion, the shoey. The draft beer and also footwear emerge merely in triumph, and also Tuivasa has lost four matches straight. Yet listed below's something worthwhile of commemorating, even just before the initial haymaker is flung by these heavy-handed heavyweights: the matchmaking. Rozenstruik can sway for the fencings like Tuivasa, therefore this set should be actually exciting while it lasts.Will this degree modification be successful? 4. Lightweight: Mateusz Gamrot vs. Dan HookerI was actually beginning to obtain nervous for Woman of the streets-- identical to the nerves of viewing Tony Ferguson compete at 40 years of ages. Concubine is simply 34 and also his skid wasn't rather as sad, but in the course of a stretch from June 2020 with March 2022, he went down 4 of 5 battles, acquiring finished in every yet one of the losses. It ought to be kept in mind that those defeats came against Islam Makhachev, Dustin Poirier, Michael Chandler and also Arnold Allen-- not a tomato can among all of them. And Hooker has actually since gotten better along with a pair of success over challengers an action lower on the step ladder (Jalin Turner, Claudio Puelles). The issue for Whore is actually that this battle places him straight back on top level of competition. Gamrot has gained seven of 8 matches and also is on the edge of the headline image. Will he be too much for Hooker, or will Gamrot get nudged away from the frame?One fighter's roof is another fighter's ... ceiling? 5. Women's flyweight: Casey O'Neill vs. Luana SantosO'Neill was 9-0 after she gained her fourth direct UFC match in early 2022, and observers were actually beginning to speculate on where her ceiling was actually. Today she performs a two-fight skid, as well as the guesswork worries exactly how far her falloff could be. Meanwhile, Santos is actually 3 battles in to her UFC round, riding a five-fight winning touch and also seeming like a climbing possibility. This is a necessary test for each women, a degree setter. O'Neill is 26 years of ages, while Santos is simply 24. So their storyline could possibly twist and turn for many years.