Du Plessis Dominates Strickland in UFC 312 Rematch
In the world of mixed martial arts, few things are as satisfying as a decisive victory, especially when it comes against a familiar foe. Dricus Du Plessis entered UFC 312 with a win already under his belt against Sean Strickland. However, what he truly craved was a definitive statement, an exclamation point to silence any lingering doubts. And on that Saturday night in Sydney, he achieved just that.
Du Plessis (23-2) showcased his dominance in the 185-pound title fight, leaving no room for debate as he bested Strickland (29-7) for the second time. While the defending champion couldn’t secure a finish, he left an indelible mark on the judges’ scorecards, earning a unanimous decision with scores of 50-45, 50-45, and 49-46.
Their previous encounter in January 2024 had ended in a majority decision for Du Plessis, but this time, the South African fighter left no stone unturned. “I told you that when I come here, I’m trying to get the knockout, but to knock out that man is next to impossible,” Du Plessis remarked, having landed 129 total strikes. “I wanted a submission, a KO, or an absolute five-round domination, and that’s what I got.”
With his victory, Du Plessis set his sights on new challenges, even going so far as to call out light heavyweight champion Alex Pereira, who was present in Strickland’s corner. While a move up in weight class is a tantalizing prospect, Du Plessis still has plenty of competition in the middleweight division, including the undefeated Khamzat Chimaev.
Chimaev, not one to hold back, took to social media to voice his opinion, posting a succinct message on X: “Biggest bulls— is this fight.”
Despite the array of potential opponents, one name that Du Plessis can confidently put behind him is Strickland. At 33, Strickland had believed he should have emerged victorious in their first meeting 13 months ago in Toronto. He entered the rematch with confidence, but found himself unable to mount a significant offense, especially after Du Plessis broke his nose in the fourth round.
The injury was a turning point, as Du Plessis’ right hand caused the break, leaving Strickland visibly affected. Du Plessis pursued him relentlessly around the Octagon, while Strickland could only paw at his nose. In his post-fight comments, Strickland acknowledged the impact of the injury, admitting it took him out of the fight.
“The game plan was to stay calm, and that was really hard once I saw him grabbing at his nose like that,” Du Plessis explained. “It’s like having someone in front of you who is rocked. It took me 30 seconds to a minute to get back my composure. I don’t want to make a habit of [going to decision], but against a competitor like [Strickland], it happens.”
Throughout the fight, Du Plessis effectively targeted Strickland with his left head kick, finding success repeatedly. While Strickland managed to land some jabs and right-hand counters, his corner, led by head coach Eric Nicksick, urged him to increase his volume between rounds, recognizing he was a step behind.
- Du Plessis’ record: 23-2
- Strickland’s record: 29-7
- Judges’ scores: 50-45, 50-45, 49-46
- Du Plessis’ total strikes landed: 129
- ESPN pound-for-pound ranking: No. 9
Heading into Saturday’s fight, ESPN had ranked Du Plessis as the No. 9 pound-for-pound fighter in the world, a testament to his skill and tenacity in the Octagon. With this latest victory, he has solidified his standing and opened the door to even greater challenges ahead.
Originally Written by: Brett Okamoto
