Weekend Review: Du Plessis stops Adesanya as Salah sets new Premier League record

Dricus Du Plessis remains Africa’s new UFC king, while Mohamed Salah reached new heights as the 2024/2025 Premier League season kicked off last Friday. 

Last weekend was special as it ushered in the start of a new football season in Europe’s top leagues. 

After a month of international football and two weeks of the Summer Olympics, football is finally back on our screens every weekend. 

Europe’s top leagues kicked off last weekend, although the German Bundesliga will start this weekend. 

It was indeed an exciting weekend for football lovers as we were treated to some spectacular matches. 

But it was not just about the European football leagues last weekend as there were also a few major events that kept sports lovers glued to their seats. 

Housebets takes a look at some of the major sporting events that went down last weekend. 

Dricus Du Plessis Takes Down Adesanya 

One of the biggest events of last week was the UFC 305 main event between Dricius Du Plessis and Israel Adesanya for the Middleweight belt. 

There was bad blood between both fighters heading into the clash after Du Plessis claimed that Adesanya’s status as an African champion should be questioned even though he was born in Nigeria. 

Although Adesanya was born and lived in Nigeria for a few years, he spent the majority of his life in New Zealand after his family migrated to the country. 

As a result, Du Plessis believes Adesanya cannot be termed an African fighter because he does not live in Africa and does not train in Africa. 

However, Adesanya took offence to the comments and went into the fight as a man on a mission. 

Going into the fight, Adesanya was the challenger, even though he was a two-time middleweight champion. 

The fight started with Adesanya landing some powerful kicks before Du Plessis regathered to land some jabs of his own. 

However, the South African gained control of the fight as it progressed taking down his opponent in the second round, although Adesanya, aka Stylebender, was able to wriggle his way through. 

But there was nothing he could do in the fourth round after Du Plessis took him down again before forcing him into submission. 

Salah sets new Premier League record 

Mohamed Salah is showing no signs of slowing down after helping Liverpool to a 2-0 win over Ipswich Town on Saturday afternoon. 

The Egyptian continued from where he left off last season as he helped Arne Slot to get his first win in his first league game as Liverpool’s manager after replacing Jurgen Klopp. 

Although Liverpool struggled to impose their quality in the first half, they took control of the match in the second half after switching up the gears. 

The Reds went ahead on the hour mark through Diogo Jota after he was set up by Salah.

Salah then turned from provider to scorer as he doubled Liverpool’s lead later, ensuring the Reds started their new campaign with a comfortable win. 

Salah’s goal did not only seal Liverpool’s win but it also helped him set a new record. The former Basel man is now the player with the most goals (9) on the opening weekend of a Premier League season. 

Before Saturday, Salah was tied with Wayne Rooney and Frank Lampard. However, the Egyptian has now moved past both players after scoring against Ipswich Town. 

Manchester City Off To A Flyer 

In his press conference on Friday, Pep Guardiola cast doubts on Manchester City’s readiness for the defence of their Premier League title. 

However, that has turned out not to be true as City started their quest for an unprecedented fifth successive Premier League title with a comfortable 2-0 win over Chelsea at Stamford Bridge. 

It was a battle between the apprentice and the master on Sunday evening as Pep went against his former assistant Enzo Maresca. 

However, it was the master who prevailed as goals from Erling Haaland and Mateo Kovacic gave the champions a comfortable win. 

Although Chelsea were competitive throughout the match, City were just more clinical in front of goal.  

The win should send out a warning to the rest of the league as they picked Chelsea apart without a host of regulars, including Rodri. 

Hansi Flick's Reign Off To A Winning Start

Barcelona started the Hansi Flick era with a hard fought win over Valencia at the Mestalla on Saturday night.

Flick, who replaced Xavi, still has a lot of issues to solve before the season ends but he would be satisfied with the way his players fought on Saturday.

Barca went behind after Hugo Duro put the home side ahead a minute before the break.

Flick's men almost went two goals down but Pau Cubarsi's superb goal-line clearance kept it 1-0.

That intervention proved crucial as Robert Lewandowski's brace, including the winner from the penalty spot, helped Flick to his first win as Barca's manager.

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