UFC 312: Live Results and Analysis for Du Plessis vs. Strickland 2

The UFC 312 event, held on February 9, 2025, at Sydney’s Qudos Bank Arena, delivered an unforgettable night of mixed martial arts action. Headlined by the highly anticipated rematch between middleweight champion Dricus du Plessis and former titleholder Sean Strickland, the event showcased thrilling fights, dramatic finishes, and masterful performances. This article provides a detailed breakdown of the live results and analysis of the main event and co-main event, along with key highlights from the undercard.

Main Event: Dricus du Plessis vs. Sean Strickland 2

The main event of UFC 312 featured a rematch between Dricus du Plessis and Sean Strickland for the middleweight championship. Their first encounter at UFC 297 in January 2024 ended in a controversial split decision victory for du Plessis, and Strickland had been vocal about his belief that he deserved the win. This rematch was billed as a chance for both fighters to settle the score definitively.

From the opening bell, du Plessis showcased his trademark aggression and unorthodox striking. Strickland, known for his precise jab and defensive prowess, struggled to find his rhythm as du Plessis mixed up his attacks with leg kicks, spinning elbows, and powerful combinations. By the fourth round, Strickland’s nose appeared to be broken, and he was visibly bloodied, while du Plessis continued to dominate the exchanges.

The judges scored the fight unanimously in favor of du Plessis (50-45, 50-45, 49-46), cementing his status as one of the most dominant middleweight champions in recent history. This victory marked his second successful title defense and extended his undefeated UFC record to 9-0.

Co-Main Event: Zhang Weili vs. Tatiana Suarez

In the co-main event, strawweight champion Zhang Weili faced undefeated challenger Tatiana Suarez. Suarez, a highly touted grappler, entered the fight with a perfect 10-0 record, but Weili proved why she is considered one of the best female fighters in the world.

Weili’s striking was sharp and precise, and she effectively neutralized Suarez’s wrestling attacks. Despite Suarez’s early takedowns, Weili showcased her improved grappling defense, reversing positions and landing significant strikes from the top. By the fifth round, Suarez appeared exhausted, while Weili continued to dominate with her striking and control. The judges awarded Weili a unanimous decision victory (49-46, 49-46, 49-45), solidifying her reign as the strawweight queen.

Key Highlights from the Undercard

1. Tallison Teixeira vs. Justin Tafa
Teixeira made a spectacular UFC debut, finishing Tafa with a devastating elbow in the clinch just 35 seconds into the first round. This performance announced Teixeira as a rising star in the heavyweight division.

2. Jimmy Crute vs. Rodolfo Bellato
This light heavyweight bout ended in a majority draw (29-27, 28-28, 28-28), leaving fans divided. Crute nearly finished Bellato in the first round, but Bellato rallied in the later rounds to secure the draw.

3. Jake Matthews vs. Francisco Prado
Matthews earned a unanimous decision victory (30-27, 30-27, 30-27) with a disciplined striking performance, marking his second consecutive win.

4. Gabriel Santos vs. Jack Jenkins
Santos secured a third-round submission victory via rear-naked choke, showcasing his grappling prowess and earning a Performance of the Night bonus.

5. Quillan Salkilld vs. Anshul Jubli
Salkilld made a statement in his UFC debut, knocking out Jubli in just 19 seconds with a devastating right hook.

Analysis and Takeaways

The UFC 312 event highlighted the depth of talent across multiple divisions. Dricus du Plessis’s dominant performance against Sean Strickland solidified his place as a top-tier middleweight, while Zhang Weili’s victory over Tatiana Suarez reaffirmed her status as the best strawweight in the world. The undercard delivered exciting finishes and showcased the future stars of the UFC.

For fans of MMA, UFC 312 was a reminder of why the sport continues to grow in popularity. The combination of high-stakes title fights, dramatic finishes, and emerging talent made this event a must-watch for fight enthusiasts.