South African Dricus du Plessis defended his UFC middleweight title on Sunday after a fourth-round submission win over bitter rival Israel Adesanya in a bout at Perth Arena.

In the main event of UFC 305, du Plessis appeared to be flagging against the two-time former champion before a spectacular takedown of Adesanya solidified his 185-pound belt.

Leading 2-1 on the scorecards heading into the fourth round, Adesanya appeared on course for victory, Du Plessis shifted the momentum with a series of powerful hooks and jabs, which Adesanya was unable to escape and was forced to submit, which sealed Du Plessis’s dramatic victory.

Du Plessis has now won 10 fights in a row, having originally claimed the belt after beating Sean Strickland in January.