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: Dricus Du Plessis vs Sean Strickland
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.
UFC 312 LIVE: Dricus Du Plessis vs Sean Strickland
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
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
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
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 eases past Sean Strickland
Dricus Du Plessis def. Sean Strickland via unanimous decision (50-45, 50-45, 49-46).
UFC 312 LIVE: Dricus Du Plessis eases past Sean Strickland
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
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
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.”
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