SYDNEY, AUSTRALIA – FEBRUARY 09: (R-L) Dricus Du Plessis of South Africa punches Sean Strickland within the UFC middleweight championship combat throughout the UFC 312 occasion at Qudos Financial institution Enviornment on February 09, 2025 in Sydney, Australia. (Picture by Jeff Bottari/Zuffa LLC)
Middleweight champion Dricus Du Plessis, coming off a win over Israel Adesanya, entered UFC 312 trying to put one other rivalry to mattress: one in opposition to Sean Strickland.
Du Plessis had dethroned Strickland at UFC 297 final January, however the combat had resulted in a cut up resolution, and Strickland actually had his share of followers who believed he’d gained the bout. With that in thoughts, operating the combat again simply made sense for the UFC, to not point out ({dollars} and) cents, given how heated their first assembly had develop into.
The trash discuss forward of the UFC 312 had not come near the vitriol spewed forward of their first assembly, thoughts you. As an alternative, discuss appeared to heart on precise combating, a moderately distinctive idea given the outsized personalities concerned. And that was a query that would simply be answered in 5 rounds or much less on Saturday.
Because it turned out, it did take 5 rounds, the second time this pair had gone the space.
Early on, it was Strickland utilizing his acquainted Philly shell, and champ Du Plessis firing kicks low and to the physique. Strickland checked the low calf kicks, and labored his jab. This sequence repeated a number of occasions – Du Plessis kicking, Strickland firing his jab. The South African champ then added somewhat taste, firing a spinning kick to the physique. Extra jabs from Strickland, extra kicks from Du Plessis, with one simply crusing huge previous the facet of Strickland’s head. A measured spherical, not low motion, however no main injury completed by both man.
Spherical two noticed an indirect kick by Du Plessis, and this time, Strickland fired again with a kick of his personal. And after they got here collectively simply previous a minute in, the challenger linked with an overhand proper to the facet of the pinnacle, his finest strike to that time. The spherical continued, like the primary, to be a back-and-forth battle, primarily single strikes, jabs and kicks, with the occasional combo within the combine. Notably, Strickland’s mouth had been bloodied by the top of 10 minutes.
The third spherical opened with Strickland almost catching a kick to the physique that landed awkwardly to the facet. Du Plessis then punched his approach in; he’d do this a couple of times extra, than it was Strickland pushing with a combo. The dearth of motion general, nevertheless, quickly had the followers stressed. Strickland landed a proper hand on the halfway mark of spherical three; Du Plessis bought the followers again in issues by ripping off a tough spinning again fist. Strickland bought his arms going once more with simply over a minute remaining, however Du Plessis landed an elbow in response. Du Plessis completed the body with a takedown try, however couldn’t land it. After three shut rounds, it was anybody’s combat, however the champ doubtless had a slight edge, and Sean Strickland was going to want to get busy.
Champ Du Plessis confirmed a stance change and continued to focus on the physique within the opening moments of spherical 4. He punched his approach inside, forcing Strickland again, and moments later, a proper landed for the champ! Strickland was harm, his nostril probably damaged. Dricus Du Plessis noticed it, the blood gushing out of it making it clear as day. Blood within the water, Du Plessis went on the assault, and Strickland was compelled to retreat. Strickland did nicely sufficient to remain out of hurt’s approach for a couple of minutes, and Du Plessis confirmed some restraint moderately than emptying the tank making an attempt to complete. Du Plessis spammed just a few overhand rights on the finish of the spherical, however couldn’t get Strickland out of there, damaged nostril or not.
Xtreme Couture coach Eric Nicksick was blunt with Sean Strickland between rounds, telling him he wanted a end to win. “Take chances, take risks,” Nicksick implored. After all, simpler mentioned than completed with a busted nostril. Nonetheless, Strickland stood toe-to-toe with the champ to begin spherical 5, coming out his jab. Du Plessis, win just about within the bag, continued with the identical plan that had labored: goal the physique, hearth kicks, and infrequently punch inside, trying to land the appropriate hand. The end wasn’t there for a bloodied Sean Strickland, nor might Dricus Du Plessis put the challenger away, however there was zero query as to who had gained the combat this time round, even when the judges nonetheless got here into play.
“Is there no one else? Is there no one else?!?” hollered Du Plessis following the win, quoting Achilles within the film Troy. Which may have been directed to Alex Pereira, who cornered Strickland, although it’s extra doubtless that Khamzat Chimaev is subsequent for the champ.
Official Consequence: Dricus Du Plessis def. Sean Strickland by unanimous resolution (50-45, 50-45, 49-46)
