When Dricus Du Plessis defeated Sean Strickland at UFC 297 by split decision in January 2024, there was little doubt their paths would cross again. Their championship rematch headlined Saturday’s UFC 312 fight card in Sydney, Australia 13 months after their first fight.
Du Plessis entered the octagon at Qudos Bank Arena riding a 10-fight winning streak and coming off a submission win over former two-time titleholder Israel Adesanya.
After the UFC 297 loss to Du Plessis, Strickland rebounded with a split decision win over Paulo Costa. Strickland believed that he should have gotten his hand raised in Toronto after their first fight and had the chance to prove it on Saturday.
Du Plessis took the center of the cage and pawed with his jab. Strickland pumped his jab. Du Plessis landed a jab. Strickland inched forward and Du Plessis landed a leg kick. Du Plessis kept his guard high. He went high with a head kick that landed. Strickland absorbed it and responded with a jab. Du Plessis continued to land leg kicks. Du Plessis connected with a right hand. Strickland reacted with a teep kick.
Through the first three minutes, Du Plessis was setting the pace. Strickland went to the body with a jab. Du Plessis utilized a lot of kicks. They exchanged jabs and Du Plessis went high with a kick that grazed Strickland. Du Plessis landed a right hand. Strickland opted for a teep kick. MMAWeekly scored the first round 10-9 for Du Plessis.
Strickland’s corner advised him to ‘pick up the pace’ between rounds.
Strickland pressured Du Plessis to start the second frame. Du Plessis landed a body kick. Strickland responded with a teep kick. Du Plessis has been the more active fighter. Strickland connected with a right hand and began checking leg kicks. Strickland connected with a counter right hand. He landed his jab as well. Du Plessis stepped in the pocket with a stiff jab. He landed a leg hand followed by an inside leg kick. A left high kick skimmed by Strickland’s head. Strickland took a head kick. Du Plessis has regularly went to the left head kick. MMAWeekly scored the round 10-9 for Du Plessis.
Du Plessis continued to employ a kick heavy offense. Du Plessis stepped into range and landed a right hand. He connected with a left hand. Strickland responded with a jab. Strickland put together a combination. Du Plessis went to the body with a kick. MMAWeekly scored the round for the champion.
Du Plessis pressed forward in the fourth. He landed a right hand that hurt Strickland. Strickland retreated. Strickland looked like he has a broken nose. Look is running from his nose. Du Plessis landed a right hand. Strickland fired back with a right hand. Strickland moved forward with a combination. He connected with a big right hand. MMAWeekly scored the round 10-9 for Du Plessis.
Strickland’s corner told him that he needed a finish to win. They advised him to ‘take chances and take risks here.’
Strickland landed his ja early. Du Plessis missed with a spinning back kick aimed at the body. Strickland connected with a combination. Du Plessis drove forward but missed with a combination. Strickland popped Du Plessis’ head back with a jab. Throughout the fight, the champion had the higher output. Du Plessis partially connected with a left high kick. Strickland tried to put something together late but couldn’t find the mark. MMAWeekly scored the round 10-9 for Du Plessis.
The judges scored the fight for the champion by unanimous decision. The scorecards read 50-45, 50-45, and 49-46
