Watch UFC 305: Du Plessis vs. Adesanya — Prelims Free.

What's at Stake

The preliminary card of UFC 305 serves as the crucial battleground for rising contenders and established veterans looking to secure their spot on future main cards. With the middleweight division in the spotlight for the main event, fighters on the prelims have a prime opportunity to make a statement, climb the official rankings, and position themselves for lucrative matchups in the second half of the year.

Head-to-Head

This portion of the card features a diverse mix of international talent, showcasing fighters who have built momentum across regional circuits and recent UFC appearances. Many of the competitors are looking to bounce back from recent setbacks or extend impressive multi-fight winning streaks to break into the top tier of their respective weight classes. The matchups present classic stylistic clashes, pitting elite strikers against high-level grapplers in high-stakes encounters.

Key Players to Watch

• Steve Erceg — The flyweight contender looks to bounce back from a close title fight and re-establish his position at the top of the division in front of his home crowd.
• Tai Tuivasa — The fan-favorite heavyweight needs a decisive victory to snap a challenging losing streak and prove he still belongs in the division's upper echelon.
• Casey O'Neill — The promising flyweight prospect aims to showcase her well-rounded skill set and climb back up the rankings after facing tough elite opposition.

Prediction

Expect a highly competitive set of preliminary bouts, with local Australian and New Zealand fighters feeding off the energy of the passionate Perth crowd. The grapplers who can successfully dictate the pace and secure early takedowns are likely to find the most success on this card. Ultimately, several of these matchups will go to the judges' scorecards, with the more disciplined and defensively sound fighters securing crucial decision victories.