Dricus Du Plessis faces Sean Strickland in a rematch headlining UFC 312, live from Qudos Bank Arena in Sydney, Australia on February 8 (ET). The pair square off in a five-round championship bout at middleweight.
Current champion Du Plessis (22-2) of South Africa dethroned Strickland (29-6) of Anaheim, CA by split decision last January. Battling at UFC 312, Du Plessis makes the second defense of his title after submitting Israel Adesanya last August. Strickland aims to reclaim the belt following his split decision win against Paulo Costa last June.
The co-main event features a five-round championship bout at strawweight between Weili Zhang and Tatiana Suarez. Two-time champion Zhang (25-3) of China makes the third defense of the belt in her second reign. Unbeaten Suarez (10-0) of Covina, CA makes her UFC Octagon return after an 18-month absence and attempts to become champion for the first time.
Also on the card, New Zealand-Australian Justin Tafa (7-4, 1 NC) faces Brazilian Tallison Teixeira (7-0) at heavyweight. Australian Jimmy Crute (12-4-1) takes on Rodolfo Bellato (12-2) of Brazil at light heavyweight. In the PPV opener, Jake Matthews (20-7) of Australia meets Francisco Prado (12-2) of Argentina at welterweight.
UFC 312: Du Plessis vs Strickland 2 results
Get UFC 312: Du Plessis vs Strickland 2 full fight card results below.
Main card
- Dricus du Plessis def. Sean Strickland by unanimous decision (50-45, 50-45, 49-46) – retains UFC middleweight title
- Weili Zhang def. Tatiana Suarez by unanimous decision (49-46, 49-46, 49-45) – retains UFC strawweight title
- Tallison Teixeira def. Justin Tafa by KO (R1 at 0:35)
- Jimmy Crute vs. Rodolfo Bellato – majority draw (29-27, 28-28, 28-28)
- Jake Matthews def. Francisco Prado by unanimous decision (30-27, 30-27, 30-27)
Prelims
- Gabriel Santos def. Jack Jenkins by submission (rear-naked choke, R3 at 2:06)
- Tom Nolan def. Viacheslav Borshchev by unanimous decision (29-28, 29-28, 30-27)
- Wang Cong def. Bruna Brasil by unanimous decision (30-27, 30-27, 30-27)
- Aleksandre Topuria def. Colby Thicknesse by unanimous decision (30-27, 30-27, 30-27)
Early prelims
- Zhu Rong def. Kody Steele by unanimous decision (30-27, 30-27, 30-27)
- Jonathan Micallef def. Kevin Jousset (29-28, 29-28, 29-28)
- Quillan Salkilld def. Anshul Jubli by KO (punch, R1 at 0:19)