The time for talking is over with fight night just around the corner in Sydney, Australia.
UFC 312 fight week is coming to an end with the Octagon’s return to the Qudos Bank Arena on February 8 where Dricus du Plessis and Sean Strickland will face off in the main event.
The two men first collided back at UFC 297 in January last year where the South African challenger brought Strickland’s middleweight title reign to a swift end.
After going their separate ways for the rest of 2024, they’ve come back together in opposite roles as du Plessis looks to earn his second title defense.
There has been plenty of words exchanged between them throughout the week with one final face-off setting the tone for Saturday night where they go head-to-head for a second time.
- READ MORE: UFC 312 loses one fight as Sean Strickland and Dricus Du Plessis hit the scales for weigh-ins
Sean Strickland promises Dricus du Plessis another fight to the death in final exchange
After both men made weight earlier on in the day, Dricus du Plessis and Sean Strickland stared each other in the eye one final time at the ceremonial weigh-ins.
It was a tense stare down between the two headliners with the Sydney crowd showing clear support for the challenger having cheered for him during his last trip down under where he became the middleweight champion by defeating Israel Adesanya.
When asked to give his thoughts on the fight and the backing he has received from the Aussie fans, Strickland sent one final message to his opponent.
“I can’t wait to get out there and try to shorten this man’s life for you f—— guys. As always, I appreciate you f——, to the f—— death Dutch man!”
Du Plessis, on the other hand, continued to perfectly play the role of the heel which he has done so well in his recent fights.
Earning some cheap heat by comparing the audience to the Perth fans that he fought in front of at UFC 305, the champion said that just like that night last August, he will get his hand raised in Australia.
“For so many people, Perth is kicking your a–, you boo like losers. Tomorrow night, just like in Perth, I’m gonna take your boy out. Enjoy the cheers while you still can boys.”
Both Dricus du Plessis and Sean Strickland will be prepared for a five-round battle
Dricus du Plessis and Sean Strickland have already fought five rounds against one another so they know what to expect in their UFC 312 rematch.
Their first encounter earned fight of the night honors following a back-and-forth bout which saw both men have periods of success, ending in a split decision verdict.
Du Plessis even says in the promo for the fight that whilst he was anticipating a tough fight on that night at the Scotiabank Arena, he doesn’t believe that Strickland expected the same.
They both definitely now know what each other is made of and it’s hard to imagine their rematch not being another competitive fight for as long as it lasts.