In a highly anticipated rematch, UFC middleweight champion Dricus Du Plessis left no doubt about who reigns supreme in the 185-pound division. The South African fighter put on a masterclass performance in his title defense against American challenger Sean Strickland at UFC 312 in Sydney, Australia, earning a clear-cut unanimous decision victory.
Du Plessis had previously defeated Strickland by a narrow majority decision back in January 2024 to claim the then-vacant middleweight belt. But Strickland disputed the result, insisting he had done enough to win on the scorecards. After rattling off two straight wins to secure the rematch, Strickland vowed to set the record straight the second time around.
A Dominant Defense
However, it was Du Plessis who made a definitive statement in the rematch. The champion came out aggressively from the opening bell, immediately targeting Strickland with kicks to the head and body. Strickland had some success early countering with his jab and right hand, but Du Plessis remained undeterred.
The pivotal moment came in the fourth round when a precise right hand from Du Plessis broke Strickland’s nose. With blood pouring down his face, Strickland was forced into retreat mode as Du Plessis stalked forward looking to capitalize.
“It’s like having someone in front of you who is rocked,” Du Plessis said of seeing Strickland’s broken nose. “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.”
– Dricus Du Plessis
A Shutout on the Scorecards
Though he couldn’t secure the finish, Du Plessis cruised through the championship rounds to clinch the victory. All three judges scored the bout for the champion with tallies of 50-45, 50-45, and 49-46, reflecting his dominance.
The 23-2 Du Plessis has now won four straight fights and two title bouts since claiming the belt. At just 29 years old and continuing to show improvements each time out, his reign atop the middleweight division could just be getting started.
What’s Next for the Middleweight King?
While Du Plessis expressed interest in moving up to challenge UFC light heavyweight champion Alex Pereira, who cornered Strickland on Saturday, his next defense is more likely to come against one of the middleweight division’s undefeated rising stars.
- Khamzat Chimaev: The 12-0 Chechen already had a war of words with Du Plessis after the champ’s latest win, posting “Biggest bulls— is this fight” on X. A potential barnburner between two of the UFC’s most exciting young talents.
- Paulo Costa: The 14-1 Brazilian knockout artist has been on a tear since losing a title fight to Israel Adesanya in 2020. Six straight wins, all by KO/TKO, have Costa primed for a crack at Du Plessis.
Whomever gets the call, they’ll have a tall task in trying to dethrone the surging Du Plessis. But as the South African titleholder continues to add chapters to his championship legacy, the challenges—and the stakes—only grow greater.
