The highly anticipated UFC 312 took place on February 8, 2024, at the Qudos Bank Arena in Sydney, Australia, featuring two championship bouts headlined by Dricus Du Plessis and Sean Strickland.
Du Plessis, the reigning middleweight champion, defended his title against the current No. 1 contender, Sean Strickland. This fight marked the first time the two opponents faced each other since Du Plessis claimed the championship title. The atmosphere was electric as fans from all over gathered to watch their favorite fighters battle it out.
The event kicked off with early prelims starting at 6 p.m. ET, followed by prelims at 8 p.m. ET, and the much-awaited main card at 10 p.m. ET. These fights were available on pay-per-view via ESPN+, with the PPV priced at $79.99 for subscribers.
Alongside their fight, the co-main event saw women’s strawweight champion Zhang Weili defending her title against the undefeated Tatiana Suarez. Both female fighters were eager to prove themselves, with Suarez being seen as the rising star poised to dethrone Weili.
Fans were treated to exciting fights throughout the prelims as well, featuring notable matchups such as Jonathan Micallef against Kevin Jousset, and Rongzhu facing off with Kody Steele. Fight fans were particularly excited about the emergence of new talent, with several fighters making their debuts or continuing their winning streaks.
Early prelims highlighted fighters like Quillan Salkilld and Anshul Jubli, adding to the competition's intensity as they showcased their determination to make their mark within the UFC roster.
The fact all fights were contested in either three or five rounds intensified the stakes, with trainers and fighters expressing their pre-fight anxieties and post-fight reliefs after enduring the rigorous battles.
After the fights were concluded, promotional material circulated, urging fans not to miss out on any UFC events, which endorsed fighters’ passions and encouraged fans' engagement.
Final thoughts from post-fight interviews revealed insights from champions Du Plessis and Weili, who discussed their future plans and what they aimed to achieve moving forward. The fighters’ reflections added depth to the event, as they acknowledged the pressures of defending titles and the thrill of competition.
UFC 312 was memorable not only for its competitive fights but also for how it encapsulated the spirit of mixed martial arts, combining skill, strategy, and heart. Moving forward, fans are eager to see how this event influences future matchups and titles within the promotion.