Dricus du Plessis has defended his middleweight title after forcing arch-rival Israel Adesanya to submit during a grueling bout at UFC 305 in Perth.

In a fight that saw both fighters give their all, du Plessis landed some heavy punches late in the fourth round on Sunday to turn the contest in his favor.

A left hook stunned Adesanya before three right punches knocked him to the ground.

Du Plessis then rolled Adesanya over and applied a rear naked choke; the New Zealander gave up seconds later.

“This man is the master of resurrection,” du Plessis said of Adesanya, who was looking to become middleweight champion for the third time.

“I’m still alive, that’s a bonus.

“I came here to die for this belt and to take a life. I’m still champion, baby.”

Adesanya said he was disappointed with the loss.

“I knew it was going to be tough. I beat him,” Adesanya said.

“I was pretty strong in there. I felt like I could withstand his takedowns.

“I just make a stupid, dumb mistake on the ground.”

And what about the future?

“I’ve never felt better. I’m 35 and I’m doing the right thing. I’m not going … to leave,” Adesanya said.

Adesanya and du Plessis had made it clear in recent months that they did not like each other.

Du Plessis’ comment that he was the first real African champion, even though he was born, raised and still lives in South Africa, angered Nigerian-born Adesanya.

The tension reached its peak on the eve of the fight, when du Plessis responded to Adesanya’s statement that he would take the belt to Africa if he won by saying that he would take his servants with him.

Afterwards, Adesanya teared up as he described the difficulties he and his family had to endure growing up before saying, “I can cry and kick your ass at the same time. On Sunday, I’m going to crush your dreams.”

Du Plessis paid tribute to Adesanya after the epic fight on Sunday.

“To share this Octagon with a legend, a 100% Hall of Famer,” du Plessis said.

“This man has done so much for this sport.

“I’m sorry that it seemed like I didn’t show him any respect.

I have the utmost respect for him as a warrior and share this cage with such a legend.”

Due to the hostility, the two did not touch gloves at the beginning of the fight.

Adesanya landed a series of powerful kicks in the opening round, but du Plessis fought back with some damaging jabs.

Du Plessis offered his glove at the end of the round, but Adesanya turned away.

Adesanya was knocked down early in the second round when du Plessis attempted to force his rival to submit with a chokehold.

The New Zealander managed to wriggle out of the jam before landing a series of powerful punches.

The third round was a tough exchange of blows, with both fighters desperately trying to land a knockout punch.

A reverse elbow from Adesanya got the crowd going, but du Plessis responded with a series of heavy punches.

Du Plessis’ precision with his strikes in the fourth round opened the door for him to take Adesanya back to the ground and finish the job.

Earlier in the day, local hero Steve Erceg suffered a technical knockout in the first round in his flyweight fight against New Zealander Kai Kara-France.

And Australian heavyweight Tai Tuivasa suffered his fifth consecutive defeat when he lost by split decision to Surinamese Jairzinho Rozenstruik.