Eagle-eyed fans spot what Israel Adesanya did seconds before being submitted at UFC 305

Eagle-eyed fans have spotted what Israel Adesanya did moments before he was submitted by Dricus du Plessis in their UFC 305 co-main event.

Adesanya was defeated in his battle to win the UFC Middleweight Championship via a fourth-round submission in Perth, Australia.

The Nigerian-born fighter, who fights out of Auckland, New Zealand, was looking to bounce back after losing the Middleweight Championship to Sean Strickland at UFC 293 in Sydney last year.

After that fight, UFC president Dana White confirmed that Adesanya would be handed an immediate rematch opportunity - and he took it against new champion Du Plessis in Perth.

But the result wasn't the one the 35-year-old would have hoped for, as his South African opponent ended his chances deep in the fourth round.

He was down on two of three judges' scorecards heading into the fourth round of five, but they ultimately became inconsequential as he was defeated by submission.

But a moment just seconds before his defeat was noticed by fans - and it was briefly brought up on the official broadcast.

After being hit by a punch that sent him stumbling down to one knee, Adesanya could seen pointing at the mat before shouting: "Stand up and fight!"

Noooo Izzy!!!! #UFC305 pic.twitter.com/chwy9kqfcX

— ★ ᴍʏᴛʜɪᴄ 𝖩𝖺𝗒𖤐 (@MyDolo_Lonely) August 18, 2024

Just five seconds later, Du Plessis pulled him to the ground and applied a rear naked choke and face crank to win the fight in the fourth round.

Speaking after the fight, Adesanya told the UFC's Daniel Cormier: "His toughness I already knew, I knew he was going to be tough and hard to put away. I was cracking him. But I already knew he was tough, so it wasn't a surprise.

"But I felt strong in there, I felt able to resist his takedowns. I just made a stupid, dumb mistake on the ground and he adjusted well and got me."