A highly anticipated rematch over a year in the making takes place at UFC 312
between Dricus Du Plessis and Sean Strickland. The pair first faced off at UFC 297 last January, with Du Plessis taking the title thanks to a closely fought split decision.
The Women’s Strawweight title is on the line in the co-main event as champion Weili Zhang faces Tatiana Suarez, while a host of regional fighters fill the rest of the card in some fun match-ups.
Main Card
● Dricus Du Plessis vs. Sean Strickland II – UFC Middleweight title
● Weili Zhang vs. Tatiana Suarez – UFC Strawweight title
● Tallison Teixeira vs. Justin Tafa
● Jimmy Crute vs. Rodolfo Bellato
● Jake Matthews vs. Francisco Prado
Main Card tips
- Dricus Du Plessis vs. Sean Strickland – Over 3.5 rounds – 2/5 – (Bet MGM)
- Justin Tafa vs. Tallison Teixeira – Will Fight Go The Distance? – No – 8/13 (Coral)
- Jimmy Crute v Rodolfo Bellato – Will Fight Go The Distance? – No – 2/5 – (Paddy Power)
Alexandre Pantoja vs. Kai Asakura – Will The Fight Go The Distance? No – 4/9 –
(Paddy Power)
Another war is expected between Dricus Du Plessis (22-2-0) and Sean Strickland
(29-6-0). The first fight ended in a split decision in Du Plessis’ favour after five hard rounds
last January. There were calls in some quarters, including from UFC President Dana White, that
Strickland should have had his hand raised. The American outstruck Du Plessis in three of the rounds in what was largely a stand up fight. The South African scored six of 11 takedown attempts, but managed just 2:07
minutes control time.
The question is, how will each fighter approach this rematch to avoid such a close call this time? Strickland brings a certain style to the Octagon, he is aggressive but defensive, astute with his feet and with his takedowns and largely works behind the jab. Strickland has seen 11 wins and four losses in the UFC come via the judges scorecards, with a total of six split decisions. Du Plessis is a known finisher with six of his eight UFC fights ending early, with impressive wins over Israel Adesanya, Robert Whittaker, Derek Brunson and Darren Till.
With the amount of split decisions Strickland has in the UFC we are unlikely to see him take any further risks in order to catch the judges’ eyes. Their records show both are extremely durable, so this one is likely to be decided late or once again via the judges scorecards.
Justin Tafa vs. Tallison Teixeira – Fight to go the distance – No – 8/13
A featured Heavyweight bout sees Justin Tafa (7-4-0, 1 NC) and UFC debutant Tallison Teixeira (7-0-0) collide, with this one unlikely to see the final bell.
Tafa will make his 10th walk to the UFC Octagon here, possessing a mixed 4-4 1 NC record. The 31-year-old lost his last fight to Karl Williams by unanimous decision last March, with the American using a grappling heavy game plan to grind out a decision.
Prior to that Tafa defeated Austen Lane by TKO in the first round in September 2023 to rack up a three-fight winning streak, landing a left hook before finishing the fight on the ground.
The fight was rebooked after the first contest between the pair ended in a no contest following a nasty eyepoke on Tafa 30 seconds into the first round.
Tafa also had first-round TKO stoppage wins over Parker Porter and Harry Hunsucker during his run. The New Zealander has only been stopped once in his career, on his UFC debut where he was caught as he rushed in on Yorgan De Castro in the first round of their 2019 encounter.
Teixeira makes his UFC debut here after earning a contract through the Contender Series with a first round TKO of Arthur Lopes.
The 25-year-old has a perfect 7-0 record with all first round finishes, but steps up a considerable level in this contest.
The Brazilian is 6’7 and will have a nine inch reach advantage here. As a 6’0” heavyweight Tafa is no stranger to fighting taller opponents, with Lane standing at 6’6 with a six inch reach advantage.
It’s hard to see this one going the full 15 minutes and picking this one to end early feels a solid pick.
Jimmy Crute v Rodolfo Bellato – Will Fight Go The Distance? – 2/5
Jimmy Crute (12-4-1) returns to action here against Rodolfo Bellato (12-2-0) after
over 18 months away from the sport. Crute appeared to lay his gloves down and retire in the Octagon after a second round submission loss to Alonzo Menifield in July 2023.
The pair had fought out a majority draw five months earlier, which was a brief let up in a losing skid that had seen the Australian stopped in the first round by both Jamahal Hill and Anthony Smith.
The Menifield defeat left the now 28-year-old’s record at 4-4-1 inside the Octagon, with all his wins and losses ending within the scheduled distance.
Crute’s UFC wins came with the TKO’s of Modestas Bukauskas and Sam Alvey and submissions of Michał Oleksiejczuk and Paul Craig.
Bellato made his Octagon debut last time out in an all-action fight against Ihor Potieria, who he finished with ground and pound in the second round.
The 29-year-old was made to work for the victory, with Potieria having him in trouble on more than one occasion, but the Brazilian showed extreme heart to survive and ultimately get the victory.
Bellato earned his place in the UFC with a second round TKO of Murtaza Talha on Dana White’s Contender Series, his second opportunity on the show after being knocked out by Vitor Petrino a year earlier.
Eight of his 12 pro wins have been TKO’s, with the rest by submission.
Bellato’s only other defeat also came by knockout to Petrino on the regional scene.
Crute has the talent and UFC experience to win this, but questions will need to be answered about his mentality, while Bellato brings an unrelenting will to win and chase a finish.
One thing is for sure, both men’s fighting styles do not lend well to seeing the final bell.
