Dricus Du Plessis reaffirmed his prowess in the octagon by decisively reclaiming victory over Sean Strickland in their much-anticipated rematch at UFC 312 in Sydney. The event, held last Sunday, was a spectacle of martial arts excellence, with Du Plessis leaving no room for ambiguity regarding the outcome as he triumphed with a unanimous decision.
Reflecting on his performance, Du Plessis expressed relief and satisfaction, underscoring the importance of this win following their previous split decision encounter. 'I didn’t want a repeat of our last fight,' Du Plessis noted. 'The game plan was to maintain composure, despite seeing him struggle.'
Although the fight had its subdued moments, Du Plessis's tactical dominance was evident. His victory marks his second successful title defense, following an impressive fourth-round submission against Israel Adesanya earlier in Perth, adding to his impressive 23-2 record. In contrast, Strickland's attempts to seize the middleweight title fell short, dropping his record to 29-7.
Du Plessis, aged 31, exhibited strategic brilliance starting from the heroic opening rounds. Strickland attempted to set the pace with his jab, but Du Plessis countered with an aggressive array of kicks and strategic maneuvers, leaving little room for Strickland to retaliate significantly. By the second round, Du Plessis led in significant strikes, a testament to his focused approach.
Although the initial rounds were closely contested, the fourth round saw Du Plessis dramatically shift gears, delivering a right punch that broke Strickland's nose and securing his dominance for the remainder of the fight. Du Plessis masterfully maintained pressure, never allowing his opponent a chance to recover, solidifying his position as the reigning champion.
In the co-main event, the women’s strawweight champion Zhang Weili showcased resilience and skill by overcoming a challenging first round against Tatiana Suarez. Ultimately, her tactical endurance allowed her to retain her title, as she won by unanimous decision. Zhang's victory adds to her impressive streak, marking her fourth successful title defense.
The undercard was highlighted by exciting bouts such as Tallison Teixeira's explosive UFC debut. The heavyweight newcomer maintained his dominant first-round performance by defeating Justin Tafa with a TKO just 35 seconds into the fight, marking his eighth straight first-round victory.
Meanwhile, in a highly competitive light heavyweight match, Jim Crute and Rodolfo Bellato delivered a thrilling display of skill and determination. Despite Crute’s strong start, Bellato matched him in the subsequent round, leading to a tightly contested third round that ended in a majority draw.
Moreover, Jake Matthews attained a notable unanimous decision over Francisco Prado in their welterweight clash, underscoring the diverse talent showcased throughout UFC 312.
The evening was a profound testament to the prowess and tenacity these fighters bring to the cage, leaving fans eagerly anticipating future matchups under the UFC banner.