Five Reasons to Watch UFC 312, with Dricus du Plessis vs. Sean Strickland for the Belt

Dricus du Plessis Sean Strickland UFC 312

Dricus du Plessis e Sean Strickland in front of the UFC 312 (Photo: Playback/YouTube)

The city of Sydney, Australia, will become smaller this Saturday (8) with the arrival of UFC 312. There are two title fights, one for men and one for women, that will dominate the event that has 12 fights. In the main fight, the rematch between Dricus Du Plessis e Sean Strickland for the middleweight title (up to 83,9 kg). In the co-main event, it's the women who take over with Zhang Weili defending the gold against the undefeated challenger Tatiana Suarez placeholder image, in a strawweight duel (up to 52,1 kg).

Du Plessis and Strickland meet again after intense clash in UFC 297, when the South African won the middleweight title with a split decision victory. For this Saturday's duel, the American has a strong reinforcement in his corner: the light heavyweight champion (up to 93 kg) Alex Poatán, his former rival.

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Dricus du Plessis in victory at UFC 297. Photo: Reproduction/Instagram/@ufceurope

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Aleksandre Topuria and Ilia Topuria are brothers. Photo: Reproduction/Instagram

Ilia Topuria's brother debuts at UFC 312 and increases his 'family' legacy in the organization; remember other cases

In addition to the two title fights, the UFC 312 marks the debut of the featherweight champion's brother (up to 65,7 kg), Ilia Topuria. For bantamweight (up to 61,2 kg), Alexander Topuria faces Colby Thicknesse, friend of the former champion Alexander Volkanovsky, in a fight that will mark the Australian's reunion with his tormentor present in the opposite corner.

The event will also feature four Brazilian athletes: Tallison Teixeira, Rodolfo Bellato, Gabriel Mosquitinho e Bruna Brazil. O SUPER FIGHTS listed five reasons why you should never miss out on UFC 312, check out:

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1) Rematch between Dricus du Plessis and Sean Strickland

Dricus Du Plessis Take down Sean Strickland fighting in UFC 297. Photo: Reproduction/Instagram

It's not just another title fight: Strickland and Du Plessis don't like each other. Ever since the UFC 297, which ended with a narrow victory for Du Plessis, the American swore revenge and wants the middleweight belt (up to 83,9 kg) back. On the other side, Du Plessis is more than ready to taste who is not the champion by chance. The South African has already promised that, this time, he will not leave the fight to the judges and will put Strickland out in the octagon. This means that it will not be a strategic and restrained fight: it is war! Get ready for five rounds of pure beating!

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2) Zhang Weili and Tatiana Suarez fight for the belt

Zhang Weili faces Tatiana Suarez at UFC 312. Photo: UFC

Zhang Weili faces Tatiana Suarez placeholder image No. UFC 312. Photo: UFC

This is the third time that Zhang Weili has defended the UFC women's strawweight belt (up to 52,1 kg). The Chinese fighter, known for her agility and power in her strikes, has already put the title in check against Amanda lemos e yan xiaonan. Undefeated in her career, Tatiana Suarez placeholder image finally will have your chance to fight for the division's throne, something that was expected since she was revealed as the champion of 'The Ultimate Fighter 23', in 2016. However, a series of injuries hindered the athlete, who now promises to be 100% focused for the fight in Australia.

3) Brazilians

Talisson Teixeira makes his debut in UFC 312. Photo: Reproduction/Instagram

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There is a Brazilian debut on the main card. The heavyweight (up to 120,2 kg) Tallison Teixeira faces the New Zealander justin tafa. One of the contractors of the last season of 'Dana White's Contender Series', the Bahia native from Vitória da Conquista has an undefeated record of seven wins, six of them by knockout. He seeks to maintain his winning record quickly to deliver a good calling card in his first appearance in the octagon. Another product of 'Dana White's Contender Series', Rodolfo Bellato returns after more than a year of inactivity due to a series of injuries. In his debut in the organization, in December 2023, the São Paulo native knocked out the Ukrainian Ihor Potieria in the second round. In the UFC 312, the light heavyweight athlete (up to 93 kg) will measure forces with the Australian Jimmy crute, which has the support of the local fans.

The event also has two more Brazilians on the preliminary card. After a difficult start in the organization, with two consecutive defeats, Gabriel Mosquitinho bounced back by beating China's Yizha by unanimous decision. To keep the grip, the featherweight (up to 65,7 kg) needs to get past the Australian Jack Jenkins, who suffered only one defeat in four UFC fights. Rounding out the Brazilian squad, the flyweight athlete (up to 56,7 kg) Bruna Brazil also steps into the octagon. Since his debut in the organization in April 2023, the paranaense comes alternating victories and defeats in her four appearances. Seeking her second consecutive triumph, the 'Fighting Nerds' athlete will face the Chinese Wang Cong, the 'Joker', who is coming off a defeat to fellow Brazilian Gabriella Fernandes on your last appointment.

4) Alex Poatan at Strickland's Corner

A. Poatan and S. Strickland are friends and training partners. Photo: Reproduction/X

As I had already warned since the end of last year, Alex Poatán will be present at the UFC 312, but not to fight, but to support Sean Strickland in the corner. Since the American regained the belt against Israel adesanya, the rivalry between the two gave way to a friendship relationship. Barbs were exchanged and praise was given way to statements of praise. In fact, the fighter of the year was present at the first fight between Strickland and Du Plessis. The episode even caused the South African to mock, turning the rivalry into a triangle.

But being part of the Strickland team requires a certain sacrifice from the Brazilian, as he is preparing to face Magomed Ankalayev do UFC 313, on March 8th, in Las Vegas. May Poatan be able to bring luck to his 'partner' without harming himself.

5) Volkanovski x Topuria… in the corners!

Ilia Topuria (right) and Alexander Volkanovsky (left) after fight in UFC 298. Photo: Reproduction/Instagram

Alexander Topuria, the older brother of the featherweight champion (up to 65,7 kg) Ilia Topuria, will make its debut in the organization in the UFC 312. The Georgian bantamweight (up to 61,2 kg) faces Colby Thicknesse, a pupil and friend of Alexander Volkanovsky, who lost the title to 'El Matador' last year. It is the first time that the Australian meet your tormentor again, who will be in his brother's corner while he supports Colby in the opposite corner. In true 'Family Affairs' style, you can't miss this meeting full of personal issues and trials, which go beyond the line of sport.