Dricus Du Plessis is not just defending his title at UFC 312—he’s out to prove he truly earned it. Following a controversial split-decision victory over Sean Strickland in January 2024, the middleweight champion is ready to set the record straight in their upcoming rematch.
Du Plessis (22-2 MMA, 8-0 UFC) walked away with the belt at UFC 297, but the fight’s outcome left many fans divided. Strickland (29-6 MMA, 16-6 UFC) felt he was unfairly judged, and now, nearly a year later, the two fighters will meet again in the octagon to see who is truly the best.
Du Plessis Won’t Back Down
For Du Plessis, the first fight was no fluke.
“For me, the split decision was the biggest shock to me,” he said at UFC 312 media day. “I didn’t think it was a split decision. I’m very happy they made this fight because now I can go and say, ‘What are you going to say?’ I’m going to put this to bed.”
In his mind, the result was clear-cut.
“I didn’t get lucky. I wasn’t gifted a belt. I fought for five rounds forward. Twenty-three minutes forward in a 25-minute fight warrants a win,” Du Plessis asserted. “That’s the guy who’s trying to fight, not the guy who is trying to point.”
Strickland: A Dangerous Opponent
While Du Plessis is confident in his abilities, he knows Strickland is no easy opponent.
“I think Strickland is the best middleweight in the world right now, behind myself,” Du Plessis acknowledged. “He’s an incredible, incredible fighter. He’s so good defensively. He’s tough. He’s hard to hit, and when you hit him, it doesn’t have that effect as on normal guys.”
Strickland is tough and unpredictable, but Du Plessis is more than ready.
“This guy is an apex predator. This is the toughest fight of my life coming up, and I’m ready for that because I am an apex predator, and he’s in my area right now.”
The Ultimate Test Awaits
Du Plessis understands what’s at stake—this rematch is more than just a title defense.
“We’re going to go to that dark place from the get-go and we’ll see who comes out,” Du Plessis predicted. “And I can’t wait for that because even if this goes to a decision again, it will be an all-out war and it will be no doubt that I’m the best in the world.”
As UFC 312 draws nearer, the anticipation is building for what promises to be an intense showdown. With Du Plessis ready to prove himself once more, fans can expect an unforgettable battle for the middleweight title.