Dricus Du Plessis Busts Sean Strickland’s Nose in Hard-Hitting Victory – UFC 312 Results (Highlights)

'DDP' battered and bloodied Strickland through five rounds en route to a dominant unanimous decision victory.

Written by Craig Pekios
Last updated on February 9th, 2025
Dricus Du Plessis Vs Sean Strickland Ufc 312 Results Highlights
Courtesy of @UFC on X

In a rematch more than a year in the making, reigning middleweight champion Dricus Du Plessis returned to the main event spotlight at UFC 312 set to defend his gold against the same man he took it from — Sean Strickland. 

‘DDP’ came out on top the first time around in January 2024, scoring a razor-close split decision victory over the outspoken American. Now, Strickland steps back inside the Octagon hellbent on taking the title back and avenging his loss against the South African superstar. 

Round 1

Things start relatively below between the two fighters with Du Plessis offering up an early front kick to the body as Strickland looks to establish his jab. Du Plessis unleashes a question mark kick that nearly gets through Strickland’s guard. Strickland hands a stiff jab and eats a couple of low kicks from the champ. Strickland throws a right and Du Plessis returns fire with a pair of jabs. ‘DDP’ kicks to the body and tries to throw a spinning back kick, but misses the mark. Strickland jabs, but he’s out of range. Strickland goes to the body and connects.

Strickland with a jab and Du Plessis tries to respond with a left kick up top. Du Plessis lands a low kick as Strickland continues to jab away. With less than a minute in the round, ‘DDP’ starts to mix up his kicks and lands a nice right hand over the top. Strickland connects with a teep. Du Plessis responds with another calf kick just before the end of the round.

Round 2

Things start pretty much the same in the second stanza with Strickland trying to find his way inside while ‘DDP’ uses his keeps to keep his opponent at bay. Strickland lands with an overhand right. Strickland offers another fight hand, but Du Plessis fends it off. Du Plessis continues his kick-heavy attack and eats a jab from Strickland. Du Plessis throws a combination but eats a counter right. Both fighters appear to be bleeding — ‘DDP’ from the bridge of his nose and Strickland from his mouth. 

Du Plessis throws a left and follows it up with a couple of kicks, including a solid inside low kick. Du Plessis throws a spinning back fist as Strickland moves in, but the challenger fends it off. Strickland is landing his shots, but his volume needs to pick up if he hopes to leave with the middleweight title. Du Plessis once again goes up with and connects with a head kick. Du Plessis lands a overhand right and Strickland counters. Du Plessis with a left near the end of the round. 

Round 3

Du Plessis connects with a combination that ends with a stiff right hand in the opening minute of the third round. Strickland fires back with a jab, a right to the body, and a left up top. Du Plessis returns with a left hook, but Strickland’s head movement keeps him out of danger. The crowd is getting restless as Strickland’s offense is few and far between. ‘Tarzan’ throws a right hand that lands clean. Du Plessis goes back to the body of his opponent. 

Du Plessis throws another spinning back fist. This time, it connects, but Strickland eats it and keeps moving forward. Strickland lands a counter right followed by a jab and a one-two. Du Plessis returns fire with a nasty elbow. Strickland lands with a looping right hand to close the round. 

Round 4

Strickland comes out of his corner appearing to be a bit frustrated with his performance thus far. Du Plessis rips a nice shot to the body and follows it up with a front kick up the middle. Du Plessis lands a counter right hand that appears to have rearranged Strickland’s nose. Strickland is backing away and his nose is absolutely gushing blood. Du Plessis stalks and looks to capitalize. Strickland’s offense has completely stalled as Du Plessis continues to push the pace.

Strickland connects with an overhand right as Du Plessis moves in. Du Plessis gives him his receipt, landing a nice right hand of his own. Du Plessis connects with another right hand that has Strickland bouncing off the cage wall. Strickland lands a shot of his own, but Du Plessis just keeps marching forward in hopes of further damaging Strickland’s already busted nose. Du Plessis with a one-two and then hard right hand. Du Plessis tries to deliver another over the top as the clock winds down. 

Strickland throws an overhand right, but ‘DDP’ covers up and mitigates the damage just before the horn. 

Round 5

Strickland with a jab to start the fifth and final round. Du Plessis fires back with a jab followed by a kick to the body. Strickland comes right back with a jab. Strickland connects with a one-two. Strickland doubles up on the jab and throws a right. Du Plessis throws a spinning heel kick that misses. ‘DDP’ tries to connect against the fence, but Strickland circles away and jabs. Du Plessis rips to the body as he continues to lead the dance with two minutes to go in the fight.

Strickland jabs and Du Plessis fires back with a right hand. The crowd is once again booing as blood is once again streaming from the challenger’s nose. Du Plessis with a kick to the body. Du Plessis connects with a kick to Strickland’s chin. ‘DDP’ goes back to attacking the body with 30 seconds left. Strickland lands a jab, but he’s gonna need a lot more than that if he hopes to see his hand raised. Strickland connects with a nice right hand, but it’s too little too late for the challenger. 

Official Result: Dricus Du Plessis def. Sean Strickland via unanimous decision (50-45, 50-45, 49-46)

Check Out Highlights From Dricus Du Plessis vs. Sean Strickland at UFC 312:

Published on February 9, 2025 at 1:22 am
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Craig Pekios

Craig Pekios
Covering the world of Mixed Martial Arts since 2012. Providing the latest news, picks, scores, results, and commentary on the world of MMA.

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