UFC 312 is upon us, taking place on February 8 at the Qudos Bank Arena in Sydney, Australia. This much-anticipated event features two title fights at the top of the card, promising unparalleled excitement for MMA fans worldwide.
Headlining the night, Dricus du Plessis will defend his UFC Middleweight Championship against Sean Strickland. Du Plessis, who is currently 22-2 and 8-0 within the UFC, aims to solidify his title reign after claiming victory against Strickland via split decision at UFC 297 back in January. Strickland, with a record of 29-6, hopes to reclaim the championship he lost after suffering his first defeat to du Plessis, making this rematch highly significant for both fighters.
Du Plessis rose to prominence quickly upon joining the UFC, making his debut with impressive victories over Markus Perez and Trevin Giles, followed by key wins against ranked opponents such as Robert Whittaker and Derek Brunson. His resilience and dynamic fighting style make him formidable. Following his title win, he submitted former champion Israel Adesanya, which only adds to his impressive resume. Du Plessis's training and strategy for the rematch will be pivotal as he looks to avoid the pressure Strickland exerted in their first encounter.
On the other side of the octagon, Strickland is not one to be underestimated. Known for his relentless forward pressure, he aims to capitalize on having fought more experienced opponents, including Israel Adesanya, whom he defeated for the title. Strickland's split-decision victory against Paulo Costa after losing to du Plessis demonstrates his ability to rebound and stay competitive. The stakes couldn't be higher for Strickland; he'll need to implement key strategies to neutralize du Plessis's grappling and increase his chances of reclaiming the title.
Adding to the excitement, the co-main event features strawweight champion Zhang Weili facing undefeated challenger Tatiana Suarez. Weili has been on fire lately, entering this fight with four consecutive victories, including two title defenses against Amanda Lemos and Yan Xiaonan. Her championship experience and explosive fighting style have made her one of the most dangerous competitors in the women’s division.
Tatiana Suarez, with her 10-0 record, has earned her title shot after consistently dominating her previous opponents with impressive wrestling and grappling abilities. After facing significant injuries over the past two years, Suarez is ready to prove herself against Weili. The fight is expected to showcase both of their strengths; Weili's powerful strikes against Suarez's grappling acumen.
Betting lines have already shown fluctuations as fans anticipate the card. Du Plessis opened as the -209 favorite, with Strickland at +171. For the co-main event, Suarez's odds have tightened to -120 against Zhang Weili at +100. These shifts reflect the public's sentiment leading up to the fights.
Beyond the title bouts, the card is stacked with intriguing matchups. Heavyweights Justin Tafa and Tallison Teixeira will collide, both aiming for their moment to shine. Teixeira, riding the wave of Dana White's Contender Series success, expects to make his mark, which is not to be overlooked. Tafa, who stands at +115 underdog, will draw on his experience to outlast his opponent, but Teixeira’s physical advantage cannot be written off.
Another matchup to watch is the light heavyweight clash between Jimmy Crute and Rodolfo Bellato. Crute has struggled recently, coming off several losses, and will be eager to turn his fortunes around on home soil. Bellato, currently the favorite, is poised for what could easily be his breakout performance.
Meanwhile, fan-favorite Jake Matthews goes head-to-head with Francisco Prado, both of whom are no strangers to the octagon. Matthews has faced some of the sport's best and will look for victory to rebound from his last outing.
Preliminary card bouts will feature contenders like Jack Jenkins against Gabriel Santos and Wang Cong against Bruna Brasil, adding depth to terms of talent and excitement level, ideal for underdog bets. Brazil’s Bruna Brasil stands as the biggest underdog of the night, marked at +310, and her fight against elite-level competition like Wang Cong will provide the perfect stage to showcase her improvement.
On the night of UFC 312, the live coverage begins with early prelims at 6 p.m. ET on UFC Fight Pass, followed by prelims at 8 p.m. ET and the pay-per-view main card at 10 p.m. ET, all available via ESPN+.
With adrenaline pumping and stakes at their highest, UFC 312 promises to deliver thrilling moments, intense rivalries, and the crowning of champions. This is the type of event MMA fans live for, and the time to tune in is now!