The Ultimate Fighting Championship returns to Australia this weekend for UFC 312, where Middleweight champion Dricus Du Plessis will face off against Sean Strickland in a highly anticipated rematch. The two fighters will meet in the main event in front of a world title, in a sequel to their vicious fight last year.
The Inventor Who Became South Africa’s First “Mafioso”
Dricus Du Plessis, fighting under "Stillknocks," became the first South African champion in the UFC the first time they met. Their 2023 matchup was a bitterly fought, see-saw affair, which Du Plessis won by split decision in what was described as the Fight of the Night. In the time since, Du Plessis (22-2, 8-0 UFC) has established himself as a top-level contender at middleweight.
A 31-year-old became the first to defend his title successfully when he submitted former titleholder Israel Adesanya with a rear-naked choke at UFC 305 in August 2024. Du Plessis, famous for his tenacity and power, comes in on a 10-fight win streak, undefeated in the UFC. He may not be the most mechanically refined striker but his power and hunger make him top-tier.
Born and bred in South Africa, the naturalised Aussie can look to make it 11 wins in a row and successfully defend his title for the second-straight time on Australian turf.
Strickland: The Challenger With More Experience
The top contender, Sean “Tarzan” Strickland (29-6), steps into the Octagon looking for revenge after narrowly losing to Du Plessis in their first encounter. The 33-year-old American started in the UFC as a welterweight but hit his stride after moving up to middleweight in 2020.
His technical skill set and high fight IQ allowed him to put together a five-fight win streak en route to a title shot against Alex Pereira in 2022. The controversial split-decision victory was overshadowed by Strickland’s setbacks against Pereira and Jared Cannonier, but two consecutive victories have brought him back to title contention with a win over Paulo Costa in April 2024.
While you have to like the versatility and momentum behind Du Plessis, he’ll be going up against a more wily opponent in Strickland who is capable of pulling off the upset. He is still outspoken about the controversial decision in their last fight, when six takedowns from Du Plessis were the difference.
Fighter Comparison
Both fighters are around 6 feet tall with a 76-inch reach. But their styles could not be more different. Du Plessis excels when he can overwhelm his opponents with his brute strength and grappling skills, but Strickland focuses on precise striking and a controlled tempo.
Dricus Du Plessis
Age: 31
Record: 22-2 (9 KOs, 11 submissions)
Stance: Orthodox
Trainer: Morne Visser
Last fight: Submission win vs. Israel Adesanya (Aug. 2024)
Sean Strickland
Age: 33
Record: 29-6 (11 KOs, 4 submissions)
Stance: Orthodox
Trainer: Eric Nicksick
Previous fight: Win by split decision over Paulo Costa (April 2024)
Key to Victory
It has been Du Plessis’ ability to adapt that has been key in him reaching the top. He used his grappling against Adesanya, submitting one of the more technical strikers in the division. To keep his belt, he will have to blend his striking and wrestling to negate Strickland’s deliberate style.
Strickland, meanwhile, must pressure and stay on land. His sharp striking and ring generalship are going to be essential in order to beat the champion on points. But if Strickland can stuff takedowns and make use of his more improved martial art, he can get revenge for the first fight.
Prediction
Despite Strickland’s experience and methodical fire-fighting, Du Plessis’ volume and relentless pressure should see him through. With "Stillknocks" should steer clear of a pure-striking duel and safely incorporate his grappling, he shouldn't have any trouble notching another victory and remaining undefeated inside the Octagon.
Fans are in store for another pulse-pounding fight as these two warriors vie for middleweight supremacy in what should stand as one of the most exciting rematches of the year.
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