UFC 305 main card tips, top picks & odds | Sunday, August 18

The main card for UFC 305 in Perth this Sunday features some of the finest MMA talent from Australia and New Zealand. Highlights include a top-10 flyweight bout between Kai Kara-France and Steve Erceg, and a heavyweight clash between Tai Tuivasa and Jairzinho Rozenstruik. Read on for BettingPlanet’s free UFC 305 picks and analysis.

Dricus du Plessis v Israel Adesanya

Dricus du Plessis vs Israel Adesanya

In the main event, Israel Adesanya takes on Dricus du Plessis in a must-watch middleweight bout. Can ‘Izzy’ reclaim the title, or will his South African rival stamp his authority on the division once more? See our UFC 305: Du Plessis vs Adesanya main event preview and tips here.

Kai Kara-France v Steve Erceg

Kai Kara-France vs Steve Erceg

Kai Kara-France (24-11-0) has lost his last two bouts and draws another tough assignment here. The plucky Kiwi fights in energetic bursts and throws heavy hands but is prone to defensive lapses. The 31-year-old was stopped by a Brandon Moreno body kick when challenging for the interim title in 2022, and although ranked fourth in the competitive flyweight division, he has not fought in more than a year and might be a little rusty on return.

Steve Erceg (12-2-0) produced a bold display when challenging for the flyweight crown in May, losing to champion Alexandre Pantoja by the barest of margins. The 29-year-old brings a unique approach to the octagon that can be difficult to read and counter. He generates surprising power from close range, has an excellent submission game, and is considered a future champion at 125 pounds.

Mateusz Gamrot v Dan Hooker

Mateusz Gamrot vs Dan Hooker

Mateusz Gamrot (24-2-0) enters this contest on a three-fight win streak, notching victories over Rafael dos Anjos, Rafael Fiziez and Jalin Turner. The 33-year-old will face a sizeable height and reach disadvantage but covers distance effectively, and top UFC betting sites have him as one of the shorter-priced favourites on the main card. He is expected to utilise a wrestling and grappling approach to avoid his opponent’s lengthy striking.

Dan Hooker (23-12-0) has shared the octagon with some of the UFC’s biggest stars, including Islam Makhachev, Dustin Poirier and Michael Chandler. The 34-year-old is coming off an impressive comeback win over dangerous prospect Jalin Turner. The Kiwi does not possess the most reliable chin and is susceptible to clean head shots, but he should be able to go the distance.

Tai Tuivasa v Jairzinho Rozenstruick

Tai Tuivasa vs Jairzinho Rozenstruik

Tai Tuivasa (15-7-0) has dropped four straight fights, albeit to some of the heavyweight division’s top athletes. The Aussie favourite was knocked out by Ciryl Gane and Sergei Pavlovich and submitted by Alexander Volkov and Marcin Tybura, and he desperately needs to rediscover his knockout form. He will be buoyed by a partisan crowd, has been training hard, and cannot be dismissed despite his generous odds with UFC bookmakers.

Jairzinho Rozenstruick (14-5-0) has also struggled lately, with three losses and two wins since 2021. The former kickboxer lands heavy strikes but would be unwise to stand and trade with an opponent that specialises in early knockouts. The 36-year-old may hold an agility advantage, which will come into play if he can survive the early danger.

Li Jingliang v Carlos Prates

Li Jingliang vs Carlos Prates

Li Jingliang (19-8-0) has been unable to win back-to-back fights since 2020, due largely to a poor record with the judges. The 36-year-old loads up his strikes but can tire in the latter minutes of his rounds. He has 10 knockout finishes on his record and will be keen to find his range early and finish the job before the final bell.

Carlos Prates (19-6-0) was discovered via Dana White’s Contender Series and has made an impressive start to his UFC career. The Brazilian has produced two stoppage victories, including a knockout win over Trevor Jiles on debut. The lanky 30-year-old should be able to wear this opponent down with looping jabs if he plays it smart and avoids being drawn into an early standup war.

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