.Aug 12, 2024, 10:00 AM ETThere's one thing special regarding a mixed martial arts event Down Under.Maybe it's the amount of time warp a North American fan adventures while watching matches on television on a Saturday night as well as recognizing that they're happening the observing early morning, true time. That has to do with as disorienting as being cageside in Australia and also recognizing that enthusiasts midway all over the world are checking out the fights stay ... last night.Or maybe it is actually something else that makes enjoying mixed martial arts matches in Australia feel thus offbeat. Probably it is actually the matches themselves, which commonly have multiple vociferation points affixed. Anyone complying with the sport for numerous years has seen the fact twists that can originate coming from cage matches in this edge of the Southern Hemisphere.Mark Search and also Antonio "Bigfoot" Silva gave an occupation's truly worth of big-time damages on one another during one unforgettable evening in Brisbane in 2013. A record-setting night (morning?) in Sydney a year later on, with 11 fights and also 11 surfaces. And also, certainly, Holly Holm booting Ronda Rousey off her higher equine at UFC 193 in 2015 in Melbourne. That event created a firm participation file that stood till the Octagon was actually reminded Melbourne in 2019 and 57,127 filled up Marvel Stadium to watch Israel Adesanya knock senseless Robert Whittaker and also come to be middleweight champion.When the eight-sided cage go back to Australia on Saturday, the former two-time champ will challenge Dricus Du Plessis in the main activity of UFC 305 in Perth. On the line will be actually certainly not simply a shiny band but the satisfaction of a continent 5,000 miles away, as both fighters are actually embeded in Africa, though with much different life experiences.That's the genesis of only one of many fascinating stories that will play out this weekend. Here are five factors to watch for at UFC 305. That will draw the homeland on a remote bank? 1. Middleweight champion: Dricus Du Plessis (c) vs. Israel AdesanyaIsrael Adesanya squares off with Dricus Du Plessis generally occasion at UFC 305. Image through Will Russell/Zuffa LLCSaturday's main event remains in Western Australia, although the sensitive territory battle is attached to an arrive at the much side of the Indian Ocean. Du Plessis was born and also still lives in South Africa. Adesanya was birthed in Nigeria and relocated along with his household to New Zealand when he was actually one decade outdated. In light of those dissimilar lifestyle courses, Du Plessis once announced, "I am actually the African fighter in the UFC." That did not sit well with Adesanya, who has said his loved ones moved abroad in search of educational opportunities.Editor's Picks1 RelatedIf there's a grudge added to the actually towering concerns, so be it. It is actually not a necessary element to make this a fascinating fight, however let's certainly not overlook that the last time Adesanya was in an animosity-fueled competition, he designated on Paulo Costa just before taking him out in 2020. His one KO ever since came versus Alex Pereira in 2014, five months after Pereira had KO 'd him. So "The Last Stylebender" has actually shown a thirst for the get-back, especially versus powerful assailants. Can Adesanya's counterpunching cease the quick reign of Du Plessis, that possesses bulldozed his way to nine triumphes in a row?Which fixing task will courageous? 2. Men's flyweight: Kai Kara-France vs. Steve ErcegThe initially 2 opportunities Kara-France contended in the UFC, the fights took place in Australia and he was actually type of the local man. He's in fact from New Zealand, 1,300 kilometers all over the Tasman Ocean, however his challengers were from the other side of the globe, the United States and also South America. This moment, though, it's an away ready Kara-France, as Erceg was actually born in Perth and also stays twenty minutes coming from RAC Field. Erceg has fought in his home town six times, but all prior to his signing along with the UFC final summer season. He is actually created only four journeys inside the Octagon and also presently has actually competed for the 125-pound title.That final factor highlights just how this match, like the main event, has to do with much more than location. Erceg, 29, was using an 11-fight winning streak when he unsuccessfully challenged Alexandre Pantoja in May. Kara-France, 31, tried for an interim belt in 2022, losing by TKO to ex-champ Brandon Moreno. Each Kara-France and Erceg remain in restoring setting. A reduction here would not be the end of the roadway towards opponent status, yet it could send out that competitor on an inhibiting detour.Can we all simply delight in a swinging great time? 3. Big-time: Tai Tuivasa vs. Jairzinho RozenstruikTai Tuivasa hopes to end a four-fight losing streak at UFC 305 on Saturday night. Image through Jeff Bottari/Zuffa LLC by means of Getty ImagesI really feel regretful for loving Tuivasa battles as high as I perform. Certain, I like checking out a finely tuned athlete show off technological fight abilities in giving harm and turning off what an opponent can easily throw their way. That is actually the blended fighting styles I'm comfortable being a supporter of. However I just can not turn away from a slobber knocker, which is what Tuivasa consistently promises.Top accounts of the full week from Acquire special accessibility to countless premium articles a year coming from top article writers. u2022 MLB prophecies: Will Court struck 60 HRs? "u2022 Barnwell: NFL playoff teams to come back "u2022 Final CFB preseason SP+ rankings" Additional ESPN+ information ".What the Aussie can not regularly vow, of course, is his delightfully awful postfight event, the shoey. The beer and shoes show up merely in victory, as well as Tuivasa has actually lost 4 matches straight. But listed here's one thing worthwhile of commemorating, even prior to the 1st haymaker is actually affaired through these heavy-handed top cats: the matchmaking. Rozenstruik can turn for the fencings like Tuivasa, so this should be actually enjoyable while it lasts.Will this level modification be successful? 4. Lightweight: Mateusz Gamrot vs. Dan HookerI was actually starting to obtain anxious for Woman of the streets-- comparable to the nerves of enjoying Tony Ferguson contend at 40 years of ages. Woman of the streets is merely 34 as well as his skid wasn't quite as depressing, yet throughout a stretch coming from June 2020 through March 2022, he dropped four of 5 battles, receiving completed in every however among the losses. It should be noted that those defeats came against Islam Makhachev, Dustin Poirier, Michael Chandler and also Arnold Allen-- certainly not a tomato can among them. And Concubine has because bounced back along with a pair of triumphes over challengers an action lower on the step ladder (Jalin Turner, Claudio Puelles). The issue for Hooker is actually that this match puts him straight back at the top level of competition. Gamrot has actually succeeded 7 of 8 matches and also performs the edge of the label image. Will he be a lot of for Whore, or even will Gamrot receive pushed out of the frame?One boxer's roof is actually one more fighter's ... roof? 5. Female's flyweight: Casey O'Neill vs. Luana SantosO'Neill was 9-0 after she succeeded her 4th direct UFC fight in very early 2022, as well as observers were actually beginning to suppose on where her roof was actually. Now she is on a two-fight skid, and the uncertainty concerns just how far her falloff could be. In the meantime, Santos is actually 3 matches into her UFC trip, using a five-fight winning streak and seeming like an increasing possibility. This is actually a suitable exam for both girls, a degree setter. O'Neill is actually 26 years of ages, while Santos is only 24. So their storyline can weave for several years.