Dricus du Plessis retains his UFC Middleweight Title with a dominant victory over Sean Strickland at UFC 312 in Sydney.

Dricus du Plessis, South Africa’s pride in the UFC, put on a masterclass performance at UFC 312 in Sydney, as he successfully retained his middleweight title in a dominant, one-sided rematch against American Sean Strickland.

Du Plessis, who won the title from Strickland in a split decision last January, displayed his exceptional skill, precision, and physical prowess throughout the five-round bout.

Strickland, the former champion, struggled to find an answer to Du Plessis’ relentless pressure and superior striking, with the South African taking control from the opening bell.

This victory marks Du Plessis’ second successful title defense after his impressive win over Israel Adesanya in Australia last year. With this triumph, Du Plessis solidified his position as one of the top fighters in the world, climbing to third in the UFC’s pound-for-pound rankings.

However, despite his stellar performance inside the octagon, Du Plessis faced some controversy outside the cage, particularly with his political stances, including his support for former U.S.

President Donald Trump, which sparked backlash from certain South African fans. This didn’t seem to affect his performance, however, as he focused entirely on Strickland during the fight.

From the start, Du Plessis looked composed, stepping into the arena with the South African flag draped over his shoulders, as the national anthem began to play, only to be abruptly cut off just as “Die Stem” was about to begin.

Undeterred by the minor hiccup, Du Plessis showcased a calm demeanor and immediately started putting pressure on Strickland with his sharp and effective strikes.

The American tried to keep distance with his jab, but Du Plessis responded with precise kicks to the head and body, leaving Strickland on the defensive.

By the second round, Du Plessis had already taken control of the fight. While Strickland continued to rely on his jab, it was Du Plessis’ powerful left-footed kicks that did most of the damage.

Strickland’s corner urged him to throw more with his right hand, but Du Plessis proved too elusive and accurate, landing the more significant strikes.

As the fight progressed, it became clear that Strickland’s strategy was ineffective against Du Plessis’ precision and power.

The fourth round was where the fight truly turned in Du Plessis’ favor. Within the first minute, he broke Strickland’s nose with a perfectly timed strike. Du Plessis followed up with a barrage of punches, though Strickland was able to regroup and survive the round.

However, it was evident that the damage had taken its toll on the American, who struggled to mount any real offense against the South African.

Strickland entered the fifth round needing a knockout to retain his title, but Du Plessis’ superior conditioning and physicality were on full display. The champion managed to stay in control, using his strength and skill to outwork Strickland and avoid any serious danger.

By the final bell, Strickland had failed to find a way to break through Du Plessis’ defense, and the judges’ scorecards reflected the one-sided nature of the fight.

Du Plessis’ victory not only reaffirmed his status as the best middleweight fighter in the world but also further established his reputation as a dominant force in the UFC.

His disciplined approach to the fight, combined with his devastating striking, made it clear that he is a force to be reckoned with in the division.

Despite the controversies surrounding him outside the octagon, particularly regarding his political views, Du Plessis remains focused on his career and his mission to prove himself as the top middleweight in the UFC.

As he continues to dominate his opponents, South African fans are left wondering who will be the next challenger to take on Du Plessis’ reign.

For now, Du Plessis is firmly at the top of the UFC middleweight division, and it looks like his reign will continue for the foreseeable future.

Dricus du Plessis, South Africa’s pride in the UFC middleweight division, has once again proven his dominance, effortlessly retaining his middleweight title against American Sean Strickland at UFC 312.

The fight, held in Sydney, Australia, on Sunday morning, was a one-sided affair in which Du Plessis outclassed Strickland from the outset, winning by unanimous decision in a performance that solidified his place as one of the UFC’s top fighters.

This was Du Plessis’ second successful title defense after his stunning victory over Israel Adesanya in Australia the previous year. The South African’s performance was nothing short of clinical, displaying superior skill and control throughout the bout.

While Strickland, who lost the title to Du Plessis via split decision in January 2024, seemed content to absorb pressure, Du Plessis relentlessly dominated every round, with Strickland failing to pose any significant threat.

Du Plessis came into the fight under a cloud of controversy, having attracted criticism for retweeting misinformation about the Exploration Bill and wearing a Donald Trump T-shirt ahead of the match.

This has led to some divided opinions within South Africa, where many fans expressed displeasure at the fighter’s political stance, especially after US President Trump’s controversial moves against South Africa, including cutting off funding and offering refuge to Afrikaners in the US.

Despite the off-the-cage drama, Du Plessis maintained a composed and focused demeanor throughout the fight, showing no signs of distraction as he entered the octagon with the South African flag draped over his shoulders and the national anthem playing, until it was abruptly cut off.