Key points
UFC 312 is upon us as the middleweight title is set to be defended in one of the most anticipated rematches in recent memory.
Sean Strickland and Dricus Du Plessis are two of the most popular fighters on the roster, and fans have been clamouring for a follow-up after their last five round battle. Perhaps history has been kind to the fight, which aside from some blood that arose via head clash, was a relatively unexciting clash.
However, both men are so beloved with the UFC faithful that there has been major interest in seeing them do it again. Du Plessis just defended his belt against Israel Adesanya, while Strickland earned his rematch by outpointing Paulo Costa.
- Who is Sean Strickland? Get to know the controversial former UFC Middleweight champion
Elsewhere on the card, Zhang Weili defends her strawweight title against Tatiana Suarez in an exciting co-main event. Perhaps the most exciting clash of the night, though, is likely between two corners on the prelim card.
Aleksandre Topuria face Colby Thicknesse in a short-notice clash, with a cold war of sorts happening atop the featherweight division on the sidelines. Ilia Topuria stands with his brother, while Alexander Volkanovski in hot pursuit of his rival is opposite in the blue corner.
Dricus Du Plessis immediately seems to call out Alex Pereira
He looks across the octagon as he asks if there are any other challengers!
[Link]AND STILL: Dricus Du Plessis sweeps the scorecards to beat Sean Strickland
One judge gives a round to Strickland, otherwise it’s all Du Plessis as he ends the feud with Sean Strickland
[Link]<strong>Dricus Du Plessis vs Sean Strickland – Round</strong> 5
Strickland needs to start taking risks, but he seems averse to the idea at this stage. He desperately needs a stoppage, and isn’t pushing for it even now! Sean Strickland just didn’t do enough all day, maybe it was the staph infection, but he hasn’t gone all out here for some reason. DDP retains the belt.
<strong>Dricus Du Plessis vs Sean Strickland – Round</strong> 4
In the fourth, a combination from Du Plessis has broken the nose of Sean Strickland. This will open this fight right up as the champion quite literally smells blood! There’s so much of it, Strickland admits he has had to reset it, now Du Plessis is going for the jugular. Strickland can’t set up his shots!
[Link]<strong>Dricus Du Plessis vs Sean Strickland – Round</strong> 3
Sean Strickland and Dricus Du Plessis are both beginning to make it a bit more aggressive, with the champion now actively making it a more difficult fight. Multiple spinning attacks from Du Plessis and he ties up the round with a takedown in the final seconds even though it does little. The most dominant five minute spell yet, and there’s an argument that Strickland needs a finish by now…
[Link]<strong>Dricus Du Plessis vs Sean Strickland – Round</strong> 2
Much better from Sean Strickland in the second half of the round as Du Plessis continues to target his legs. Both men bloodied now, the champion appears to be cut on the bridge of the nose. I talked about how the first was tough to score, this one is similarly awkward. Maybe you give it to Strickland?
[Link]Dricus Du Plessis vs Sean Strickland – Round 1
Here we go, rematch underway in Sydney! Strickland at his usual game plan, Du Plessis looking to find the opening for his kicking offence. Big moment halfway through the round for the champion. These rounds are hard to score, I’d maybe be moving towards the champ just because what he’s landing is more significant. Hard to know though, and I’m admittedly not an expert on judging criteria.
[Link]Here comes Dricus Du Plessis
The perfect villain, South Africa’s champion makes the walk for his second title defence.
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Time for the main event
Sean Strickland and Dricus Du Plessis about to do battle for a second time!
AND STILL – Zhang Weili defeats Tatian Suarez by Unanimous Decision
Some judges give the first to Suarez, others have it a clean sweep for Zhang. Either way, another fantastic performance from the champion.
[Link]Zhang Weili vs Tatiana Suarez – Round 5
The knee injury that Suarez has suffered looks absolutely gruesome at this stage. Tough night at the office for the American, Zhang just dominating her in every single way and that’s a 4-1 sweep, maybe even 5-0.
[Link]<strong>Zhang Weili vs Tatiana Suarez – Round</strong> 4
At this point, Suarez is in serious trouble. Weili even takes her down at one stage, almost gets the head and arm choke but it just about misses.
[Link]<strong>Zhang Weili vs Tatiana Suarez – Round</strong> 3
It’s starting to get ugly at this stage as Zhang Weili is now completely in control, landing big shots seemingly at will. She is not allowing Tatiana Suarez to get her down at all, dominating proceedings on the feet.
[Link]<br><strong>Zhang Weili vs Tatiana Suarez – Round</strong> 2
Much better round for Zhang Weili as she manages to keep the fight on the feet and land big shots at will on her rival. Reversing the takedowns well and landing big shots, including knees against the cage.
[Link]Zhang Weili vs Tatiana Suarez – Round 1
Suarez lands the first takedown of the fight within seconds, showing Zhang Weili that American wrestling. Making it tough for the champion, but the fight gets turned over on the ground, Weili on top towards the end.
[Link]WOW! Tallison Teixeira KOs Justin Tafa
In just 35 seconds, Teixeira marks a stunning debut with a monstrous KO. Tafa suffers another defeat down to 7-5.
[Link]Tallison Teixeira vs Justin Tafa up next
Huge fight at heavyweight – physically! The tallest fighter in UFC at six-foot-eight faces Justin Tafa in the final non-title fight of the evening!
[Link]Jimmy Crute v Rodolfo Bellato ends in draw
Crute almost got the finish at the end of the first, but maybe put too much into it as it ended up going the distance. Scorecards read 28-28 x 2 and 29-27 for Crute!
[Link]Jimmy Crute and Rodolfo Bellato go to battle on the main card
Exciting fight to continue on the action on the main card!
[Link]Jake Matthews defeats Francinsco Prado by UD
Jake Matthews is almost disappointed to just win by decision as he declares that a real fight with Francinsco Prado would have been to the death. He wants into the rop 15, so he’s calling out Neil Magny!
[Link]Jake Matthews faces Francinsco Prado in our main card opener
Australia vs Argentia kicks off the main portion of tonight’ card.
[Link]Gabriel Santos chokes Jack Jensen
Not what that Sydney crowd wanted to see, Santos gets the back two minutes into the third and finished the fight. On to the main card we go!
[Link]Jack Jenkins vs Gabriel Santos on now
There are moments of brilliance, a Jenkins headkick, but otherwise a fairly boring grappling exchange in the opening rounds!
[Link]Tom Nolan beats Viacheslav Borshchev by UD
Good, tough victory from Nolan as he overcomes some big shots to send Borshchev into some trouble!
[Link]Tom Nolan vs Viacheslav Borshchev up next
Fasncinating fight in the lightweight division between two heacy hittters
[Link]Aleksandre Topuria defeats Colby Thicknesse by UD
30-27 across the board, he boasts that after being taken into deep waters he got the chance to show he can swim at the UFC level. Huge moment for the family!
[Link]<strong>Colby Thicknesse vs Aleksandre Topuria – Round</strong> 3
Topuria definitely wins the third, despite a sick effort at a triangle from Thicknesse on his back that almost had him. Should be 29-28 at least, 30-27 at most
[Link]<br><strong>Colby Thicknesse vs Aleksandre Topuria – Round</strong> 2
Good close round two here, there will people who due to Thicknesse doing better than expected will say that he’s winning this. Not so sure about that based on the way Topuria is managing the positions here.
[Link]Colby Thicknesse vs Aleksandre Topuria – Round 1
Thicknesse doing the job he needs to do very professionally. He’s stepped in on short notice and knows he’s the underdog. He’s moving on the outside, getting his work in and not letting Topuria land big. As I type that, he smashes a huge shot that has Thicknesse panicking and going for the legs. He survives through to the second.
[Link]Two all-star corners
Colby Thicknesse brings Alexander Volkanovski and Craig Jones, two Australian martial arts icons. Then Topuria has the featherweight and bantamweight world champions on his side!
[Link]Now it’s time for the featherweight title rematch… Sort of!
Ilia Topuria and Alexander Volkanovski battle it out via the corners of Aleksandre Topuria and Colby Thicknesse
[Link]Ronghzu beats Kody Steele by UD
What a scrap! Kody Steele and Rongzhu must have won the bonus with that one.
[Link]Rongzhu vs Kody Steele up next
There has been a lot of criticism of this card, but it has delivered thus far!
[Link]Jonathan Micallef beats Kevin Jousset by UD
29-28 across the board, Jousset came back into it in the third but too little too late!
Kevin Jousset vs Jonathan Micallef heads to the third
Jousset’s fight IQ is way off, which is making this a very entertaining contest for the casual. Not much technique on show though!
[Link]Welcome to the Bloody Elbow live blog
We’ve got all the details coming from an exciting night of action in Sydney tonight. Prelims are just about to start.
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