Dricus du Plessis' next fight: Who will the middleweight champion face after defeating Israel Adesanya at UFC 305?

Dricus du Plessis made good on all his statements at UFC 305 after a week of animosity in Perth between him and former middleweight champion Israel Adesanya was settled.

The two fighters had been trading blows outside the cage for months as their rivalry grew stronger and stronger until they finally met in the sold-out RAC Arena.

After initially dethroning Sean Strickland and securing the belt, the South African was able to extend his current winning streak to 10 fights with a submission victory by rear naked choke in the fourth round against Adesanya.

MORE: Israel Adesanya's strong response to retirement talks after UFC 305 loss

Dricus du Plessis’ next fight: Who will the middleweight champion face after his victory at UFC 305?

“I have never had a boring fight and I don’t plan to have one now,” du Plessis said before meeting Adesanya.

The pair have been on a collision course since the South African claimed a narrow victory over Strickland in January.

Adesanya was in the crowd at UFC 297 that night and later claimed it was his destiny to face du Plessis for the belt he had previously mortgaged.

However, in his fight against the beefy middleweight, he encountered the same problems as Strickland and Robert Whittaker.

Although Adesanya appeared to have the tiring du Plessis under control in the third and fourth rounds, he simply faltered under the relentless pressure.

When he wasn't charging forward with a barrage of circular punches or attempting to throw a high kick, du Plessis was aiming for a takedown.

“He became a little predictable,” Adesanya said after the fight.

Yet he once again managed to surprise his challenger in cold blood at the fence before turning away from him and pinning him with a chokehold on the first attempt, thus retaining his belt.

“It feels incredible,” said du Plessis.

“People say you're not a champion until you defend the belt – nonsense. You're a champion when you win the belt.”

“I went out tonight to fight for the belt and I won it again.”

But before the two faced each other, Dana White confirmed that the winner would face Strickland.

However, current light heavyweight and former middleweight world champion Alex Pereira has also emerged as a potential opponent after expressing his interest on social media.

“What do I want next? Whatever they give me,” said du Plessis.

“I honestly don't think Pereira will give in. But if he does, the excuses will come that he has to cut weight.”

“Izzy stiffed that man (at UFC 287). If he comes in, he won't be able to fight me.”

Du Plessis noted that he was excited about the rematch with Strickland, while also eyeing a future fight with Periera – but on his terms.

“Strickland is the next fight if that’s what the people want,” du Plessis said.

“After the Strickland fight, I'll move up to 205 pounds (to face Pereira).”

Although he described Whittaker as the most worthy candidate for the next chance against him.

“Whittaker deserves the chance and I think he was overlooked,” said du Plessis.

“He beat Paulo Costa in a more impressive way than Strickland and then was ready to face Khamzat Chimaev.

“Unfortunately, he comes up short. But that's not my fault.”