Following the fight the pair paid respect to each other, embracing and shaking hands after a long exchange of words before Adesanya raised Du Plessis’ hand in victory.
“I was fighting one of, if not the greatest striker ever in this division, I needed that takedown. At this level it’s hard to keep people down and this man is the king of getting back up,” said Du Plessis.
“I said I’d come in here to die for this belt and I’m alive right now and that’s just a bonus. And I said I’d come here to take a life if I had to. Luckily we didn’t have to do either of those things. Here I am, still champion, baby.”
Adesanya, meanwhile, who failed in his attempt to become the first ever three-time UFC middleweight champion, said he would be back, despite successive defeats for the first time in his MMA career.
“I’m disappointed in myself but at the same time I’m proud. This is the best I’ve ever felt, the best I’ve ever looked, I just fought the better man on the night and I give him respect for that,” said Adesanya.
“I know you all want to see me down and want to see me lose but watch this – I’m not leaving.”
Earlier on the card, Scotland-born Australian Casey O’Neill defeated Brazil’s Luana Santos by unanimous decision to end a two-fight losing streak.
O’Neill, 26, celebrated by copying Australian breakdancer Rachael Gunn’s routine from the Paris Olympics.
Gunn – who is known as B-girl Raygun – went viral during the Games earlier this month and has said the criticism she received for her performance has been “devastating”.
Meanwhile, videos have surfaced, external of Georgian bantamweight Merab Dvalishvili confronting a heckler at an event in Las Vegas on Friday.
Footage shows Dvalishvili, who challenges American Sean O’Malley for the title at UFC 306 next month, jumping the railing, walking up some stairs towards the fan and grabbing his head, before being walked away by security.
Read More: UFC 305: Dricus du Plessis submits Israel Adesanya to retain middleweight title