Du Plessis vs Adesanya odds, UFC 305 predictions, picks, time: Top fight card bets from proven MMA expert

Dricus du Plessis will look to continue his reign in the middleweight division when he defends his title for the first time when he takes on Israel Adesanya in the main event of UFC 305: Du Plessis vs. Adesanya on Saturday. The main fight card of UFC 305 is scheduled to begin at 10 p.m. ET from the RAC Arena in Perth, Australia. Du Plessis, 30, who was born in South Africa, is coming off a split decision win over Sean Strickland at UFC 297 in Toronto. Adesanya, 35, who was born in Nigeria but lives in New Zealand, is entering the Octagon for the first time in nearly a year. He lost the UFC middleweight championship by unanimous decision to Strickland at UFC 293 in Sydney, Australia in September 2023.

Adesanya enters as the favorite at -120 (risk $120 to win $100), while Du Plessis is the underdog at +100 in the latest UFC 305 odds. In the co-main event, Steve Erceg is the -190 favorite against Kai Kara France (+160). Before locking in any UFC 305 picks, make sure you check out the MMA predictions and betting advice from SportsLine expert Kyle Marley.

Marley won the first “Boutmaster” UFC betting competition sponsored by MMAOddsBreaker and regularly appears on numerous MMA betting and daily fantasy shows. He watches every single fight for every professional MMA card and does extensive research before each event.

Since 2018, $100 bettors who follow Marley’s picks have racked up nearly $22,000. The accomplished MMA analyst has delivered consistent winners for SportsLine members for the past four years. His accomplishments include hitting five consecutive main-event underdog winners in 2020 after the UFC’s brief pause in action due to the pandemic. He went 7-3 on previous cards. Anyone who has followed him is way ahead of the game.

Now, with UFC 305: Du Plessis vs. Israel Adesanya upon us, Marley has studied the UFC 305 card from top to bottom and revealed his top picks and best bets. You can see Marley’s MMA picks and analysis only at SportsLine.

UFC 305: Du Plessis vs. Adesanya preview

Du Plessis, 30, of South Africa has been impressive since joining the UFC in 2020, compiling a 7-0 record during that time. He earned a chance to win the title by defeating Robert Whittaker by TKO in a UFC middleweight title eliminator match at UFC 290 in July 2023. He followed that up with a split decision win over Strickland. Du Plessis has not lost since being knocked out by Roberto Soldic at KSW 45 in Poland in October 2018.

Du Plessis began his MMA career in July 2023 and won his first four bouts before suffering a submission loss to Gareth McLellan at EFC 33 in August 2014. He later won the vacant EFC Welterweight Championship in June 2016. In 23 career matches, Du Plessis is 21-2, including nine wins by knockout, 10 by submission and two by decision. Four of his last seven wins have come via knockout.

Adesanya has been a great fighter since turning pro in 2012. In his first fight in March 2012, he scored a knockout of James Griffiths at 2:09 of the first round at Supremacy Fighting Championship 9. He has lost just three matches since then, but his record is just 4-3 since March 2021. He is looking to make up for his loss to Strickland to regain the UFC middleweight crown.

Adesanya won the first 20 fights of his career and is ranked second in the UFC middleweight rankings. As of July 30, he is ranked 13th in the UFC men’s pound-for-pound rankings. He is a two-time middleweight champion and has a career mark of 24-3. He is a powerful puncher and has 16 wins by knockout, with eight of those wins coming by decision. See all of Marley’s UFC 305 picks here.

Top UFC 305 Expert Predictions

One of Marley’s top UFC 305 picks: He’s backing Jair Rozenstruik (-250) to defeat Tai Tuivasa (+205) in a battle of heavyweights on the main card.

Rozenstruik, 36, is ranked No. 12 in UFC heavyweights, and is coming off a TKO win over Shamil Gaziyev at UFC Fight Night: Rozenstruik vs. Gaziyev on March 2. He has had a solid career so far, recording an overall score of 14-5. He is known for his power and has 13 wins by knockout and one by decision. He won his first 10 fights after turning professional in 2012.

Tuivasa, 31, is looking to snap a four-fight losing streak after starting his career 14-3. In March of this year, he lost via technical submission to Marcin Tybura in the first round at UFC Fight Night: Tuivasa vs. Tybura. He began his professional mixed martial arts career in July 2012, winning his first nine bouts. Of his 14 wins, 13 have come by knockout and one by decision.

“I think Tuivasa needs a KO to win this fight,” Marley told SportsLine. “Neither of them has a wrestling/grappling game, and Rozenstruik is the more skilled striker. I would pick Rozenstruik to get the KO, but if it goes to the cards I think he will win every round.” See who else to pick here.

How to get selected for UFC 305

Marley has strong picks for UFC 305: Du Plessis vs. Adesanya and for every other bout on the UFC 305 card. He’s also backing a fighter who will “survive the early threat and get the TKO at some point.” Marley’s expert picks and analysis are available exclusively at SportsLine.

UFC 305: Who wins Du Plessis vs. Adesanya, and how does each bout really end? Visit SportsLine now to get a detailed breakdown of every fight at UFC 305, all from an incomparable expert who’s made nearly $22,000 covering MMA since 2018. Learn more.

UFC 305 odds, fight card

Check out the complete UFC 305 picks list, predictions, best bets here.
Israel Adesanya (-120) vs. Dricus du Plessis (100)
Steve Erceg (-190) vs. Kai Kara-France (+160)
Mateusz Gamrot (-360) vs. Dan Hooker (+280)
Jair Rozenstruik (-250) vs. Tai Tuivasa (+205)
Carlos Prates (-270) vs. Li Jingliang (+220)
Junior Tafa (-112) vs. Walter Walker (-110)
Josh Culibao (-175) vs. Ricardo Ramos (+145)
Luana Santos (-155) vs. Casey O’Neal (+130)
Jack Jenkins (-600) vs. Herbert Burns (+440)
Tom Nolan (-1050) vs. Alex Reyes (+675)
Kenan Song (-230) vs. Rick Glenn (+190)
Stewart Nichol (-218) vs. Jesus Aguilar (+180)