UFC 305 fight card: Full list of confirmed bouts for Perth pay-per-view

2024-08-14
7 min read
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The UFC returns to Perth, Western Australia for UFC 305 on Sunday, August 18.

Last time the UFC took over RAC Arena, Islam Makhachev and Alex Volkanovski turned in a classic for the lightweight title, with the Australian coming up just short in his bid to become a simultaneous two-division world champion.

We take a look at who will be in action this time around.

MORE: What's next for McGregor and Chandler after UFC 303 bout scrapped?

UFC 305 fight card: Confirmed bouts

Dricus du Plessis (c) vs. Israel Adesanya

At the top of the card, the middleweight title goes on the line in what should be a fascinating match-up between Dricus du Plessis (21-2) and Israel Adesanya (24-3).

The pair faced off in the cage following du Plessis' victory over Robert Whittaker at UFC 290 but Adesanya lost the belt to Sean Strickland at UFC 293 in Sydney, seeing South Africa's du Plessis challenge and defeat Strickland to claim the title.

Can Adesanya climb the mountain at 185-pounds for a third time or will du Plessis make the first defence of his title in style?

Kai Kara-France vs. Steve Erceg

A high-level trans-Tasman clash sees flyweight stars Steve Erceg (12-2) and Kai Kara-France (24-11) face off in the former's home town.

Fresh off his narrow defeat when challenging champion Alexandre Pantoja, Erceg will be looking to get back in the winner's circle and chart a course back to another title shot.

The powerful Kara-France remains a threat to anyone in the division and will have his sights set on another crack at the championship himself.

Mateusz Gamrot vs. Dan Hooker

Dan Hooker (23-12) gets his wish!

The all-action Kiwi lightweight was campaigning long and hard to get a fight on this card and he's got himself a good one.

The no. 5 ranked Gamrot (24-2 (1)) is on a three-fight win streak and has won seven of his last eight.

If Hooker can get the victory in his return from an arm injury, he'll put himself right back among the division's elite.

Tai Tuivasa vs. Jairzinho Rozenstruik

Two hard-hitting heavyweights clash in a fight that is sure to have fans on the edge of their seats.

Sydney's Tai Tuivasa (14-7) has won fans with his all-action fights, knockout power and larger-than-life personality but, coming four losses in a row, will be desperate to get his hand raised here.

Opposite him, Rozenstruik (14-5) is cut from a similar cloth, having knocked out his opponent in all but one of his 14 professional victories.

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Li Jingliang vs. Carlos Prates

Jingliang (19-8) hasn't fought since September 2022 due to a spine injury but the popular Chinese welterweight is back at UFC 305.

He'll face Brazil's Prates (19-6) who is riding an 11-fight win streak, including two since joining the UFC via the Contender Series.

Junior Tafa vs. Valter Walker

Another heavyweight affair sees Brisbane-based Junior Tafa (5-2) meet Brazil's Valter Walker (11-1).

Walker lost his UFC debut last time out while Tafa is coming off a defeat to Marcos Rogerio de Lima.

Josh Culibao vs. Ricardo Ramos

Exciting Sydney featherweight Josh Culibao (11-3-1) meets experienced Brazilian Ricardo Ramos (16-6).

Ramos has lost his last two fights to guillotine chokes while Culibao is hoping to arrest a two-fight skid of his own, both by decision.

Casey O'Neill vs. Luana Santos

King Casey (9-2) will hope to arrest a two-fight skid when she faces Brazilian prospect Luana Santos (8-1).

O'Neill had emerged as a future contender in the flyweight division before a ruptured ACL stopped her in her tracks.

The Scotland-born, Gold Coast-raised 26-year-old will hope to get some momentum back in Perth against Santos who has won her first three bouts in the UFC.

Jack Jenkins vs. Herbert Burns

Victorian fan favourite Jack Jenkins (12-3) returns to face Brazil's Herbert Burns (11-5), brother of former welterweight title challenger Gilbert.

Jenkins suffered a nasty elbow injury last time out at UFC 293 in Sydney and will be out to give Burns his fourth straight loss.

Tom Nolan vs. Alex Reyes

Australian lightweight Tom Nolan (7-1) has gone 1-1 in the UFC since graduating from the Contender Series.

Queensland's "Big Train" takes on American Alex Reyes (13-4), who had a five-year UFC absence following a spinal infection which had doctors wondering if he'd ever walk again.

Song Kenan vs. Ricky Glenn

A welterweight match up between two experienced campaigners sees China's Song Kenan (20-8) face America's Ricky Glenn (22-8-2).

Both coming off losses, Glenn will be making his debut in the division and is searching for his first win since mid-2021, while Kenan is coming off a loss to Kevin Jousset last December.

Stewart Nicoll vs. Jesus Aguilar

The latest Aussie to get the call from the UFC, Queensland-based Stewart Nicoll (8-0) will take on Mexico's Jesus Aguilar (10-2) in his promotional debut.

Nicoll is an exciting flyweight who has only been taken to decision once, mixing up submissions and knockouts.