.Aug 12, 2024, 10:00 AM ETThere's one thing special regarding a blended fighting styles occasion Down Under.Maybe it is actually the amount of time warp a North American follower expertises while watching matches on television on a Saturday evening as well as realizing that they're happening the observing morning, true time. That's about as disorienting as being cageside in Australia and knowing that followers halfway around the world are actually seeing the fights live ... final night.Or possibly it is actually one thing else that creates viewing mixed martial arts fights in Australia feel thus unusual. Probably it is actually the matches themselves, which typically possess several exclamation factors affixed. Any individual complying with the sport for several years has actually experienced the reality twists that may emanate from cage fights in this corner of the Southern Hemisphere.Mark Search as well as Antonio "Bigfoot" Silva caused a profession's worth of heavyweight harm on one another during one unforgettable night in Brisbane in 2013. A record-setting evening (early morning?) in Sydney a year eventually, with 11 fights and 11 appearances. As well as, naturally, Holly Holm kicking Ronda Rousey off her high equine at UFC 193 in 2015 in Melbourne. That occasion set up a company participation file that stood until the Octagon was brought back to Melbourne in 2019 as well as 57,127 filled Wonder Stadium to see Israel Adesanya knock senseless Robert Whittaker and come to be middleweight champion.When the eight-sided crate go back to Australia on Sunday, the past two-time champ will test Dricus Du Plessis in the main occasion of UFC 305 in Perth. Vulnerable will definitely be not simply a shiny band however the honor of a continent 5,000 kilometers away, as each boxers are actually embeded in Africa, though with much different lifestyle experiences.That's the origin of simply among numerous intriguing storylines that will certainly play out this weekend break. Below are 5 things to look for at UFC 305. That will draw the homeland on a far-off bank? 1. Middleweight champion: Dricus Du Plessis (c) vs. Israel AdesanyaIsrael Adesanya conflict Dricus Du Plessis generally event at UFC 305. Photo by Willpower Russell/Zuffa LLCSaturday's centerpiece is in Western Australia, although the sensitive territory struggle is actually connected to a come down on the much side of the Indian Sea. Du Plessis was actually born as well as still resides in South Africa. Adesanya was actually born in Nigeria and moved along with his household to New Zealand when he was actually one decade outdated. In light of those diverse lifestyle courses, Du Plessis once stated, "I am the African fighter in the UFC." That carried out not sit well with Adesanya, that has claimed his family emigrated looking for informative opportunities.Editor's Picks1 RelatedIf there's an animosity included in the already lofty stakes, thus be it. It's not an important element to make this an interesting match, yet permitted's not forget that the final time Adesanya remained in an animosity-fueled matchup, he styled on Paulo Costa before knocking him out in 2020. His one KO ever since happened against Alex Pereira in 2015, five months after Pereira possessed KO 'd him. So "The Final Stylebender" has shown a thirst for the get-back, specifically versus strong aggressors. Can Adesanya's counterpunching quit the short regime of Du Plessis, that possesses bulldozed his way to nine success in a row?Which rebuilding task will stand tall? 2. Men's flyweight: Kai Kara-France vs. Steve ErcegThe initially two opportunities Kara-France completed in the UFC, the matches occurred in Australia and he was kind of the local area man. He's in fact coming from New Zealand, 1,300 kilometers all over the Tasman Ocean, yet his challengers were actually coming from the other side of the planet, the USA and also South America. This time, however, it is actually an away ready Kara-France, as Erceg was actually born in Perth as well as stays twenty mins from RAC Arena. Erceg has actually fought in his hometown six times, yet all prior to his finalizing with the UFC final summer season. He is actually created simply 4 travels inside the Octagon as well as presently has actually completed for the 125-pound title.That final aspect highlights how this fight, like the main event, has to do with much more than geography. Erceg, 29, was actually using an 11-fight winning touch when he unsuccessfully challenged Alexandre Pantoja in May. Kara-France, 31, made a bid for an acting belt in 2022, dropping through TKO to ex-champ Brandon Moreno. Each Kara-France and also Erceg remain in fixing mode. A loss listed below would certainly certainly not be completion of the roadway toward challenger standing, but it could send out that boxer on a preventing detour.Can all of us only take pleasure in an opening happy times? 3. Big-time: Tai Tuivasa vs. Jairzinho RozenstruikTai Tuivasa aims to finish a four-fight losing streak at UFC 305 on Saturday night. Image by Jeff Bottari/Zuffa LLC through Getty ImagesI feel regretful for caring Tuivasa fights as long as I perform. Certain, I adore viewing a finely tuned athlete display technological combat skill-sets in delivering harm as well as closing down what an opponent may toss their technique. That is actually the mixed fighting styles I'm comfortable being actually a fan of. Yet I merely can't turn away coming from a slobber knocker, which is what Tuivasa consistently promises.Top tales of the week coming from Receive unique access to thousands of costs short articles a year from top article writers. u2022 MLB predictions: Will Judge hit 60 HRs? "u2022 Barnwell: NFL playoff groups to come back "u2022 Final CFB preseason SP+ ranks" More ESPN+ content ".What the Aussie may certainly not consistently promise, certainly, is his fantastically horrible postfight celebration, the shoey. The beer as well as footwear emerge only in triumph, as well as Tuivasa has actually lost four battles straight. But right here's something worthwhile of commemorating, even just before the 1st haymaker is flung by these heavy-handed top cats: the matchmaking. Rozenstruik can turn for the fences like Tuivasa, therefore this one should be actually enjoyable while it lasts.Will this amount modification be successful? 4. Lightweight: Mateusz Gamrot vs. Dan HookerI was actually beginning to obtain concerned for Hooker-- comparable to the nerves of viewing Tony Ferguson contend at 40 years of ages. Woman of the streets is simply 34 as well as his skid wasn't quite as unfortunate, but in the course of an extent coming from June 2020 via March 2022, he fell four of 5 matches, acquiring finished in all however among the losses. It needs to be noted that those defeats came versus Islam Makhachev, Dustin Poirier, Michael Chandler and Arnold Allen-- not a tomato can easily among all of them. And also Woman of the streets has actually due to the fact that gotten better along with a set of victories over rivals a measure lower on the ladder (Jalin Turner, Claudio Puelles). The issue for Courtesan is actually that this fight places him right back on top amount of competitors. Gamrot has actually won 7 of 8 matches and also performs the fringe of the title image. Will he be too much for Hooker, or even will Gamrot acquire nudged away from the frame?One competitor's roof is another fighter's ... ceiling? 5. Women's flyweight: Casey O'Neill vs. Luana SantosO'Neill was 9-0 after she succeeded her fourth straight UFC fight in early 2022, and also onlookers were beginning to suppose on where her roof was. And now she performs a two-fight skid, as well as the guessing concerns exactly how much her falloff may be. In the meantime, Santos is actually 3 matches right into her UFC trip, riding a five-fight winning touch as well as resembling a rising prospect. This is actually an appropriate exam for each females, a level setter. O'Neill is actually 26 years of ages, while Santos is actually merely 24. So their story can weave for several years.