This weekend’s UFC 305 card is shaping into an exciting night of fights, headlined by the highly anticipated rematch between Israel Adesanya and Dricus Du Plessis for the UFC Middleweight Championship. If you’re looking for a detailed betting preview and expert predictions, the Ringside Report MMA crew—Dave Simon, Fred Garcia, and AJ D’Alesio—have you covered. In this article, we’ll break down the hosts’ views on the main event, the undercard, and the key matchups to watch while sharing the thoughts and comments from the live-viewing audience. Don’t forget to watch the full episode replay on YouTube, Rumble, Twitch, or Kick, and listen to the audio podcast wherever you get your podcasts.
UFC 305 Main Event: Israel Adesanya vs. Dricus Du Plessis
The main event of UFC 305 features a thrilling middleweight championship rematch between Israel Adesanya and Dricus Du Plessis. The hosts had much to say about this fight, with all three leaning towards Du Plessis’s victory.
Dave Simon: Dave highlighted the wear and tear on Adesanya’s body from years of high-level competition. He doubted Adesanya’s ability to bounce back after his recent losses and the extended layoff. Dave emphasized that while Adesanya is a highly skilled striker, Du Plessis’s relentless pressure and grappling ability could pose significant challenges for him.
Dave Simon: “Adesanya has been through the grind of the UFC. I just don’t see a lot of guys at 35 years old, after losing the championship, coming back to beat a guy like Du Plessis who’s younger and in his prime.”
Fred Garcia: Fred agreed with Dave’s assessment and pointed out that Du Plessis could follow the blueprint Sean Strickland laid out in his upset victory over Adesanya.
Fred Garcia: “The way Strickland really caused problems for Adesanya made me wonder if Strickland put the blueprint out there. I think Du Plessis could do the same thing with his relentless pressure.”
AJ D’Alesio: AJ also picked Du Plessis, focusing on his relentless pace and ability to close the distance, which could neutralize Adesanya’s striking.
AJ D’Alesio: “Du Plessis is a freight train. If he can close the gap and use his grappling, it’s going to be a tough night for Adesanya.”
Co-Main Event: Kai Kara-France vs. Steve Erceg
The co-main event features a flyweight clash between Kai Kara-France and Steve Erceg. The hosts were split on their predictions for this fight, with some concerns raised about Kara-France’s long layoff.
Fred Garcia: Fred was leaning towards Erceg due to Kara-France’s recent inactivity and the momentum Erceg has built.
Fred Garcia: “I’m picking Erceg, but I’m not putting him on my parlay. Kara-France’s inactivity worries me.”
AJ D’Alesio: AJ also favoured Erceg, noting his superior striking and questioning Kara-France’s readiness after such a long break.
AJ D’Alesio: “Erceg has been active and sharp, while Kara-France has been off for 437 days. That’s a big concern.”
Parlays and Betting Picks
Dave, Fred, and AJ also shared their parlays and picks for the rest of the card, each offering a slightly different approach to the night’s action.
Dave Simon’s Parlay:
- Dricus Du Plessis
- Jairzinho Rozenstruik
- Mateusz Gamrot
Fred Garcia’s Parlay:
- Dricus Du Plessis
- Mateusz Gamrot
AJ D’Alesio’s Picks:
- Khalil Rountree over Jiří Procházka
- Jairzinho Rozenstruik
- Mateusz Gamrot
The hosts were generally aligned in their confidence in Du Plessis, Gamrot, and Rozenstruik, with AJ adding a few underdogs to his picks to spice things up.
Viewer Comments and Reactions
The live audience was highly engaged throughout the episode, with many viewers sharing their thoughts and predictions for UFC 305.
Viewer Angelo: “Du Plessis by TKO in the 4th. Adesanya has taken too much damage.”
Viewer Antoinette: “Kara-France could surprise us, but that long layoff is concerning. I’m leaning towards Erceg, too.”
Viewer Derek: “Rozenstruik is going to knock out Tuivasa. He’s just sharper and more focused right now.”
Final Thoughts and Call to Action
As the hosts gathered their predictions, they reiterated their excitement for UFC 305, emphasizing the potential for surprising outcomes. Whether you’re placing bets or just tuning in for the action, the Ringside Report MMA crew’s analysis is a must-listen.
Join Dave, Fred, AJ and the Ringside Report Universe LIVE and INTERACTIVE, on Saturday night as the UFC 305 main card begins at 10 PM (Eastern).
Don’t miss the full episode replay on YouTube, Rumble, Twitch, or Kick, and be sure to listen to the audio podcast wherever you get your podcasts. Join the Ringside Report Network for more expert commentary and live reactions to all the big fights.
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