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

Du Plessis clarifies Adesanya family comment after retaining UFC title

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

• Dricus Du Plessis retains middleweight title against Sean Strickland at UFC 312
• South African outpoints American for second time in 13 months
• Du Plessis, who took belt from Strickland in their first clash, seemed to break rival's nose at UFC 312
• This week, Strickland insulted Australia’s gun laws and ‘lack of freedom’ ahead of Sydney event
• Zhang Weili puts on clinic to retain strawweight title against Tatiana Suarez in co-main event

[9 February 2025 06:50 · Alex Pattle]

UFC 312 LIVE: Dricus Du Plessis eases past Sean Strickland

Dricus Du Plessis retained the UFC middleweight title for the second fight in a row (AFP via Getty Images)

[9 February 2025 07:00 · Alex Pattle]

UFC 312 LIVE: Zhang Weili upsets betting odds to beat Tatiana Suarez

Zhang Weili extended her second reign as strawweight champion (REUTERS)

Tatiana Suarez was on the wrong end of a clinic from Zhang (Getty Images)

[9 February 2025 07:20 · Alex Pattle]

Dricus Du Plessis bludgeons Sean Strickland to end rivalry in UFC 312 rematch

Full report from UFC 312:

[9 February 2025 07:40 · Alex Pattle]

UFC 312 LIVE: Dricus Du Plessis to climb pound-for-pound rankings?

Where should Du Plessis sit on our list, when the rankings are updated on Monday morning?

[9 February 2025 08:00 · Alex Pattle]

UFC 312 LIVE: What's next on the UFC calendar?

Here’s a look at all the scheduled UFC events and fights for 2025, so far: