Strickland beaten by Du Plessis again in middleweight title fight at UFC 312 – live results and reaction
Dricus Du Plessis outpointed Sean Strickland for the second time in 13 months, retaining the belt that he took from his rival in their first meeting
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: Zhang Weili vs Tatiana Suarez
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: Zhang Weili vs Tatiana Suarez
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
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
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
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
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 beats Tatiana Suarez with clinic
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: Dricus Du Plessis vs Sean Strickland 2
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.
Sean Strickland sparks backlash by launching insults at Australia
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
Sean Strickland addresses staph infection fears before UFC 312
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:
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