Dricus Du Plessis did the double over Sean Strickland by beating him on points again at UFC 312, retaining the middleweight title in the process.
Du Plessis took the belt from Strickland in January 2024, winning a controversial decision against the American, and the pair went the distance again on Saturday (8 February). This time, however, there was no disputing the winner. Du Plessis, the first fighter from South Africa to wear UFC gold, outstruck Strickland to secure scorecards of 50-45, 50-45 and 49-46, seemingly breaking his rival’s nose along the way.
The 31-year-old was already on course for victory when he landed a clean right cross in round four, causing blood to stream from Strickland’s nose as the 33-year-old pawed at it repeatedly. To his credit, Strickland not only made it to the final buzzer but continued to throw back, although his overall output paled in comparison to that of Du Plessis.
Strickland was nowhere near urgent enough throughout the fight, as Du Plessis built a comfortable lead and maintained it through 25 minutes.
In the co-main event, Zhang Weili put on a clinic to retain the strawweight title against Tatiana Suarez, extending her second reign with the belt. Re-live the action and see all results from the UFC 312 main card and prelims:
UFC 312 LIVE: Du Plessis vs Strickland 2
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Dricus Du Plessis retains middleweight title against Sean Strickland at UFC 312
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South African outpoints American for second time in 13 months
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Du Plessis, who took belt from Strickland in their first clash, seemed to break rival’s nose at UFC 312
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This week, Strickland insulted Australia’s gun laws and ‘lack of freedom’ ahead of Sydney event
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Zhang Weili puts on clinic to retain strawweight title against Tatiana Suarez in co-main event
UFC 312 LIVE: Zhang Weili upsets betting odds to beat Tatiana Suarez
07:00 , Alex Pattle
UFC 312 LIVE: Dricus Du Plessis eases past Sean Strickland
06:50 , Alex Pattle
UFC 312 LIVE: Dricus Du Plessis eases past Sean Strickland
06:40 , Alex Pattle
UFC 312 LIVE: Dricus Du Plessis eases past Sean Strickland
06:33 , Alex Pattle
Strickland takes the mic from UFC legend and commentator Daniel Cormier.
“I’ll make this quick, let me take this for a sec,” he says.
Most of his interview is censored, but I can make out, “[DDP] is a bad motherf***er,” and “You guys, you fuel me.”
UFC 312 LIVE: Dricus Du Plessis eases past Sean Strickland
06:27 , Alex Pattle
Du Plessis: “It was really hard, once I saw him grabbing at his nose, to stay calm.
“It took me about 30 seconds to a minute to get everything back to composure.
“I don’t want to make a habit of these decisions, but against a competitor like that…”
UFC 312 LIVE: Dricus Du Plessis eases past Sean Strickland
06:23 , Alex Pattle
Du Plessis: “I’m trying to knock this man out, to knock him out is next to impossible.
“I’d love another round, but that’s not the game. I gave it my all, I’m sorry I couldn’t get him out of here.
“Thank you, Sydney, for showing me love. I know you guys booed me, but to hear [cheers] at the end of a fight means the world.”
UFC 312 LIVE: Dricus Du Plessis eases past Sean Strickland
06:17 , Alex Pattle
Dricus Du Plessis def. Sean Strickland via unanimous decision (50-45, 50-45, 49-46).
UFC 312 LIVE: Dricus Du Plessis vs Sean Strickland
06:15 , Alex Pattle
Round five
Final round! Strickland tells his coach Eric Nicksick that he “reset” his nose. Ouch.
Hard teep by Du Plessis. Strong jab by Strickland, and a right hook.
Strickland tries to grab a guillotine at close range. No joy. He does, however, snap back DDP’s head with a jab.
Du Plessis catches Strickland on the end of a high kick. He fails with a single-leg now.
The final buzzer sounds, and we await the scorecards – which will confirm DDP’s victory.
UFC 312 LIVE: Dricus Du Plessis vs Sean Strickland
06:08 , Alex Pattle
Round four
Into the championship rounds. Strickland needs both of these, and even then, they might not be enough.
DDP slings a right hand at the body of Strickland, then pushes him back with a teep. Both men land punches, then Strickland paws at his nose! It’s bloody, and he can’t top touching it!
It’s surely broken, and he’ll do well to survive here!!
Somehow he throws back, but DDP is applying pressure… Du Plessis knows he doesn’t even need to land punches; he can just be physical and rough up that injury at close range.
Strickland, wow… He’s still throwing and landing shots! He’s stopped pawing at his nose so much. Two minutes left in this penultimate round, though.
Hard right hands landing for DDP in the final minute.
UFC 312 LIVE: Dricus Du Plessis vs Sean Strickland
06:02 , Alex Pattle
Round three
DDP catches Strickland on the end of a cross. A few body kicks land for the champ, too. Right cross and left hook by Strickland, blocked.
Some boos after a slower period now. Big spinning back fist by Du Plessis! Strickland eats it well.
Strickland with a decent combination now, testing the guard of Du Plessis, who responds with an elbow!
Right hook lands for Strickland, but not 100%.
DDP drives for a takedown from range, and he gets it, but Strickland pops back up and lands another slapping hook.
UFC 312 LIVE: Dricus Du Plessis vs Sean Strickland
05:56 , Alex Pattle
Round two
DDP keeps going to the well with that left high kick. None have landed clean yet, though. Strong teep by Strickland.
Body kick by Du Plessis, after he switches to southpaw and back. Good right hook by Strickland, then a messy exchange at close range. Tidy Strickland jab.
More low kicks from Du Plessis now. Another jab gets through for Strickland, then a well-timed counter cross, and a right hook! Better from Strickland!
There’s blood around Strickland’s mouth and on DDP’s nose. A southpaw cross just misses for Du Plessis, but he hammers a low kick right after that. Now a head kick lands – just – for the champion.
This feels similar to the first fight. A very close round. Du Plessis might have taken it late on.
UFC 312 LIVE: Dricus Du Plessis vs Sean Strickland
05:50 , Alex Pattle
Round one
Both men stand orthodox. Du Plessis switches back and forth early. Body kick by the champ, then a piston jab. Low kick by Strickland, then a blocked jab. Now DDP kicks low.
Strickland blocks two high kicks. Du Plessis covers up to block some more jabs, but they’re thudding against his gloves and arms. Spinning back kick to the body by DDP, but it misses.
First teep kick of the night by Strickland. Du Plessis with one of his own. This time the champ does land with a spinning back kick to the body.
Grazing high kick by Du Plessis. He’s defended very well against the Strickland jab in round one, although a couple have gotten through in the latter half of the round.
Hard low kick by Du Plessis. The crowd is a little restless, but the middleweights have been very active – they’re just not landing many heavy strikes.
DDP gets the first round, as Indy Sport sees it.
Sean Strickland addresses staph infection fears before UFC 312
05:36 , Alex Pattle
Dricus Du Plessis sparked fear among Sean Strickland’s fans this week, posting a side-by-side image of the former champion – showing Strickland before their first fight and ahead of their rematch.
Du Plessis wrote: “What? He grew taller and added staph infection to his arsenal… O[h] s***!”
The newer photograph of Strickland features a purple mark on his arm, but the American has denied it is evidence of a staph infection.
“Listen, you motherf***ers, I’m immune to staph,” Strickland said at Thursday’s UFC 312 press conference. “You see this f***ing moustache? I give staph, I don’t f***ing get staph.”
More from Strickland, below:
Sean Strickland addresses staph infection fears as UFC 312 looms
Sean Strickland sparks backlash by launching insults at Australia
05:33 , Alex Pattle
Sean Strickland has drawn criticism in the past for his views on women’s MMA, for claiming he would like to kill an opponent in the cage, and for other crude comments.
And the 33-year-old sparked further backlash on Thursday (6 February), while addressing media ahead of UFC 312.
“It’s a really beautiful country. I would consider Australians as English white trash,” Strickland said. “Some Irish, too; you know they sent the lot here. As an American white trash, I feel like I have a lot in common with you f***ers.”
Referencing Australia’s introduction of gun laws, after the Port Arthur massacre in 1996, Strickland added: “You had one mass shooting and gave up all your guns, that was kind of pathetic.”
More of what Strickland had to say, here:
Sean Strickland sparks backlash ahead of UFC 312 after launching insults at Australia
UFC 312 LIVE: Dricus Du Plessis vs Sean Strickland 2
05:31 , Alex Pattle
Okay, sports fans, time for the main event…
The middleweight title is on the line, as Dricus Du Plessis defends the belt against Sean Strickland, a year after dethroning the controversial American.
With his narrow victory over Strickland, Du Plessis became South Africa’s first UFC champion, and he consolidated his reign with a submission of former title holder Israel Adesanya in August.
Meanwhile, Strickland bounced back with a points win over Paulo Costa in June, setting up this rematch with Du Plessis in Sydney, Australia – a country whose gun laws and ‘lack of freedom’ were the subject of a tirade by Strickland this week.
The 33-year-old challenger, who has denied he is battling a staph infection, faces 32-year-old Du Plessis next.
UFC 312 LIVE: Zhang Weili beats Tatiana Suarez with clinic
05:25
Zhang Weili def. Tatiana Suarez via unanimous decision (49-46, 49-46, 49-45).
And still. Zhang is the best in the world, no doubt about it.
UFC 312 LIVE: Zhang Weili vs Tatiana Suarez
05:21 , Alex Pattle
Round five
Suarez’s corner tells her to “get on her back and finish her”.
Zhang overshoots with a cross, and Suarez gets a body lock. Good balance from Zhang to deny the trip, but she’s forced to the fence, where Suarez seeks a single-leg.
Somehow Zhang stays up; again, her balance is phenomenal. She also tries to deter Suarez with knees to the body.
A scramble ensues after a grappling exchange against the fence, but Suarez doesn’t have the energy to outmanoeuvre Zhang.
Zhang has the back, as a result, before getting to half-guard and landing punches and elbows.
Zhang ends the fight on top, and she’ll pick up a comfortable decision here. What a clinic from the champ…
UFC 312 LIVE: Zhang Weili vs Tatiana Suarez
05:14
Round four
Zhang with a takedown! She trips Suarez. Wow, she’s not only outstriking the wrestler, she’s outgrappling her right now.
She tries an arm-triangle but can’t quite finish it… The stats show Zhang has landed almost three times as many ground strikes as Suarez.
Zhang controls Suarez throughout the rest of the round.
Zhang, for our money, leads three rounds to one. One frame left.
UFC 312 LIVE: Zhang Weili vs Tatiana Suarez
05:08
Round three
Lots of kicks from Zhang. She lands a clean cross and adds a straight left.
OH! She staggers Suarez badly with a right hand! Suarez shoots for a takedown, but it’s a desperation shot, and it’s never going to trouble Zhang! And again.
Left uppercut, right hook by Zhang – great work. Suarez just about blocks a head kick.
Zhang loads up with an overhand right but misses the mark. She shrugs off a vague takedown attempt.
Zhang denies one more takedown attempt at the end of the round.
Zhang gets it, 10-9.
UFC 312 LIVE: Zhang Weili vs Tatiana Suarez
05:02
Round two
Hard inside low kick by Zhang. She sees a high kick blocked. Suarez shoots for a takedown against the fence, and eventually she dumps Zhang…
But Zhang reverses well, landing straight in mount! A massive moment in this fight, potentially – both mentally and in terms of Zhang’s chance to work here.
Suarez is already sporting swelling around her left eye, and a cut on her right knee. Zhang with elbows and punches, while Suarez tries to get a single-leg and stand.
Suarez does stand, before again trying to take down Zhang along the fence. The strawweights separate, though.
OH! Zhang with a big one-two! She misses with a wild overhand, and Suarez again dives for the champ’s legs – to the sound of boos.
More good defence from Zhang, who again ends up on top as they hit the mat! She immediately unloads punches.
Great round for Zhang, 10-9.
UFC 312 LIVE: Zhang Weili vs Tatiana Suarez
04:56 , Alex Pattle
Round one
Zhang stands orthodox, Suarez is southpaw. Side kick early from Suarez. Zhang bounces about.
Oblique side kick by Zhang, but Suarez is able to get a body lock and instant takedown! She’s straight into side control.
Zhang gets half-guard, she’s framing against Suarez’s hip with her right arm and holding an overhook with her left. Suarez throws some punches, Zhang throws a couple of elbows – but the champ can’t get much momentum on them.
Zhang briefly creates space, but Suarez is able to stay low and maintain control. Eventually Zhang is able to bump free and stand, and she denies a guillotine attempt!
Now Zhang has half-guard from on top, which is where she ends the round.
10-9 to Suarez.
UFC 312 LIVE: Zhang Weili vs Tatiana Suarez
04:37
Just like that, we’re onto the co-main event… Zhang Weili defends the strawweight title against Tatiana Suarez.
Chinese star Zhang is aiming to extend her second run with the belt, while Suarez is looking to stay unbeaten.
Suarez has really struggled for activity in recent times, having not fought since August 2023. Before February 2023, her previous bout came in 2019, too.
But the American has a strong wrestling base, and many fans and pundits believe that will allow her to dethrone Zhang here. “The Female Khabib”, some say.
Zhang, however, is the much more experienced and versatile fighter. There is definitely a chance she pieces up Suarez in the striking exchanges.
Suarez, 34, out first, to the Yeah Yeah Yeahs’s “Heads Will Roll”. Banger. Zhang, the 35-year-old champion, is out next. She looks mean.
UFC 312 LIVE: Justin Tafa vs Tallison Teixeira
04:29 , Alex Pattle
Round one
OH! Teixeira gets the knockout win in the first minute!!
In fact, barely 30 seconds have gone when Tafa drops to the mat, following a pair of knees to the body and an elbow upstairs!
Tallison Teixeira def. Justin Tafa via first-round TKO (0:35).
UFC 312 LIVE: Jimmy Crute vs Rodolfo Bellato
04:15
Round three
Crute finally makes the wise move of pursuing a takedown, but he’s too tired to finish it.
A grappling sequence ensues later, however, and Bellato gets the better of Crute.
They’re back on their feet in the final minute, both landing clean punches. Both look knackered.
Crute sticks his tongue out at Bellato, who slaps the Aussie!
The final buzzer sounds.
Jimmy Crute and Rodolfo Bellato fight to majority draw (29-27, 28-28, 28-28).
Crute with a 10-8 in round one but losing the latter two rounds, for two of the judges! He’ll be gutted he couldn’t maintain that early quality.
UFC 312 LIVE: Jimmy Crute vs Rodolfo Bellato
04:09
Round two
Both men land clean right crosses now. Twice Crute overshoots, though, and he’s punished for one of those – as Bellato slings an uppercut.
Now simultaneous jabs land. Bellato looks better here; if you’re Crute, surely you try a takedown, given your success from on top in round one?
Crute looks exhausted, and he comes off worst in one exchange, but he fires back with a good right cross. Blood is smeared around Prado’s mouth.
Crute manages a couple of knees up the middle, but he eats some hooks.
Oh! A heel kick catches the back of Crute’s head!
UFC 312 LIVE: Jimmy Crute vs Rodolfo Bellato
04:03 , Alex Pattle
Round one
Crute with a spinning back kick to the body. He overshoots a punch and Bellato gets a body lock, but Crute does well to reverse the takedown!
Crute lands in mount, and he goes for a rear naked choke as Bellato turns under him…
But Bellato escapes and gets half-guard. Now in full guard, Crute is landing decent punches from above.
And a pair of huge elbows! The Aussie is fully in control so far.
Bellato manages to create space, and the pair stand, but Crute drops the Brazilian with a big right hook – before landing more elbows on the downed Bellato!!
What a round for Crute.
UFC 312 LIVE: Gabriel Santos submits Jack Jenkins, Jake Matthews outpoints Francisco Prado
02:57
Gabriel Santos def. Jack Jenkins via third-round submission (rear naked choke, 2:06).
Jake Matthews def. Francisco Prado via unanimous decision (30-27, 30-27, 30-27).
UFC 312 LIVE: Tom Nolan outpoints Viacheslav Borshchev, Jack Jenkins faces Gabriel Santos
02:34
Tom Nolan def. Viacheslav Borshchev via unanimous decision (29-28, 29-28, 30-27).
Another fair result, before we drop down to the featherweight division for Jack Jenkins vs Gabriel Santos.
UFC 312 LIVE: Wang Cong sees off Bruna Brasil, Tom Nolan fights Viacheslav Borshchev
02:05 , Alex Pattle
Wang Cong def. Bruna Brasil via unanimous decision (30-27, 30-27, 30-27).
Next up is a lightweight bout between Tom Nolan and Viacheslav Borshchev.
UFC 312 LIVE: Aleksandre Topuria beats Colby Thicknesse, Wang Cong faces Bruna Brasil
01:35 , Alex Pattle
Aleksandre Topuria def. Colby Thicknesse via unanimous decision (30-27, 30-27, 30-27).
The right result, never in doubt.
Next, to the women’s flyweight division, where Wang Cong fights Bruna Brasil.
Alexander Volkanovski vs Ilia Topuria 2… kind of…
01:10 , Alex Pattle
Here’s how the regular prelims look, in reverse order:
Jack Jenkins vs Gabriel Santos (featherweight)
Tom Nolan vs Viacheslav Borshchev (lightweight)
Wang Cong vs Bruna Brasil (women’s flyweight)
Colby Thicknesse vs Aleksandre Topuria (bantamweight)
Thicknesse, a late-notice replacement, is a teammate of former featherweight champ Alex Volkanovski. His opponent, Aleksandre Topuria, is the brother of Ilia Topuria – who dethroned Volkanovski a year ago.
So, an interesting narrative around this one, with Volk and Ilia expected to be in each corner! Thicknesse and Aleksandre are both making their UFC debuts, by the way.
UFC 312: Early prelim results, as regular prelims begin
01:01 , Alex Pattle
Okay, the regular prelims will begin in just a few minutes. Before then, here’s a round-up of the early prelims results:
Rongzhu def. Kody Steele via unanimous decision (30-27, 30-27, 30-27)
Jonathan Micallef def. Kevin Jousset via unanimous decision (29-28, 29-28, 29-28)
Quillan Salkilld def. Anshul Jubli via first-round TKO (0:19)
