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The UFC has always been a stage where legends are born, rivalries are settled, and history is written. On February 8, 2025, the MMA world will once again descend into chaos as UFC 312 brings us one of the most anticipated rematches in recent memory: Dricus Du Plessis vs. Sean Strickland 2. This isn’t just a fight; it’s a story of redemption, unfinished business, and two warriors hell-bent on proving they are the best in the world.
The first encounter between these two middleweight titans left fans breathless, with Strickland edging out a controversial split decision. But now, Du Plessis is back, hungrier than ever, and Strickland is determined to silence his critics once and for all. The stakes are higher, the tension is palpable, and the Octagon will be the only place where these two can settle their score.
In this article, we’ll break down everything you need to know about UFC 312: Du Plessis vs. Strickland 2. From the fighters’ journeys to the undercard bangers, we’ll dive deep into why this event is a must-watch for any MMA fan.
The Main Event: Du Plessis vs. Strickland 2 – A Clash of Styles and Wills
When Dricus Du Plessis and Sean Strickland first met in the Octagon, it was a battle of contrasting styles and personalities. Du Plessis, the South African powerhouse, brought his relentless pressure, unorthodox striking, and explosive grappling. Strickland, the brash American, countered with his crisp boxing, iron chin, and unshakable confidence.
Their first fight was a war. Du Plessis pushed the pace, landing heavy shots and threatening with takedowns, while Strickland used his precision striking to pick apart his opponent. The judges’ decision was controversial, with many fans and analysts believing Du Plessis had done enough to win. But the record books show Strickland’s hand raised, and now, Du Plessis is out for revenge.
Dricus Du Plessis: The African Warrior
Du Plessis has been on a tear since joining the UFC. With a record of 20-3, he’s proven himself to be one of the most dangerous fighters in the middleweight division. His unique blend of striking and grappling has left opponents scrambling, and his never-say-die attitude has made him a fan favorite.
After the loss to Strickland, Du Plessis went back to the drawing board. He’s spent the last year refining his skills, working on his cardio, and sharpening his mental game. In interviews, he’s made it clear that he believes he won the first fight and that this rematch is his chance to set the record straight.
Sean Strickland: The Unfiltered Contender
Strickland, on the other hand, is as confident as ever. With a record of 28-6, he’s one of the most experienced fighters in the division. Known for his no-nonsense approach to fighting and his unfiltered personality, Strickland has never been one to back down from a challenge.
Since the first fight, Strickland has continued to climb the ranks, picking up wins against top contenders and solidifying his place as one of the best in the world. He’s dismissed Du Plessis’ claims of a robbery, stating that he’s ready to prove once again that he’s the better fighter.
What to Expect in the Rematch
The stakes couldn’t be higher. Both fighters are coming in with something to prove, and the middleweight title picture hangs in the balance. Du Plessis will likely look to pressure Strickland early, using his power and grappling to wear down his opponent. Strickland, meanwhile, will aim to keep the fight at range, using his jab and footwork to pick apart Du Plessis.
One thing is certain: this fight will be a war. Both men have shown they’re willing to leave everything in the Octagon, and fans can expect nothing less than a Fight of the Night contender.
The Co-Main Event: A Lightweight Showdown
While the main event is stealing the headlines, the co-main event is just as exciting. Two of the lightweight division’s most explosive fighters will go head-to-head as Rafael Fiziev takes on Arman Tsarukyan.
Fiziev, known for his devastating striking and highlight-reel knockouts, is looking to bounce back from a recent loss. Tsarukyan, a grappling phenom with ever-improving striking, is on a mission to prove he’s ready for a title shot.
This fight has all the makings of a classic striker vs. grappler matchup. Fiziev will look to keep the fight standing, using his Muay Thai skills to dismantle Tsarukyan. Tsarukyan, meanwhile, will aim to take the fight to the ground, where he can use his elite grappling to control Fiziev.
With both fighters ranked in the top 10, the winner of this fight could be one step away from a title shot. Don’t blink – this one could end in an instant.
The Undercard: Hidden Gems and Future Stars
UFC 312 isn’t just about the main and co-main events. The undercard is stacked with exciting matchups that promise to deliver fireworks. Here are a few fights to keep an eye on:
- Women’s Strawweight: Marina Rodriguez vs. Amanda Lemos
Two of the division’s most dangerous strikers will collide in what promises to be a stand-up war. Rodriguez’s technical striking will be put to the test against Lemos’ raw power. - Welterweight: Shavkat Rakhmonov vs. Geoff Neal
Rakhmonov, the undefeated phenom, faces his toughest test yet in Neal. With both fighters known for their finishing ability, this one could end in a knockout or submission at any moment. - Featherweight: Bryce Mitchell vs. Movsar Evloev
A clash of styles as Mitchell’s elite grappling goes up against Evloev’s well-rounded skill set. This fight could have major implications for the featherweight division. - Bantamweight: Adrian Yanez vs. Ricky Simon
Two rising stars in the bantamweight division will look to make a statement. Yanez’s knockout power vs. Simon’s relentless pace – this one is guaranteed to deliver.
Why UFC 312 is a Can’t-Miss Event
UFC 312 is shaping up to be one of the most stacked cards of the year. From the highly anticipated rematch between Du Plessis and Strickland to the explosive co-main event and the stacked undercard, there’s something for every MMA fan.
But beyond the fights themselves, this event represents the heart and soul of the UFC. It’s about redemption, rivalry, and the pursuit of greatness. It’s about two fighters who refuse to back down, who are willing to put everything on the line for a chance to prove they’re the best.
So mark your calendars for February 8, 2025. Whether you’re watching from home or lucky enough to be in the arena, UFC 312 is an event you won’t want to miss.
Stay tuned for more updates, fighter interviews, and in-depth analysis as we count down to UFC 312. The Octagon awaits, and the world will be watching.
Please continue if you’d like me to expand on any specific section or add more details!
Very good show
I think his Ic run being so long hurt him as a credible world champion. It’s like he fought all the same guys and crushed them for a mid card belt now we are supposed to believe they are an actual challenge to him as a world champion? Lol when they took the intercontinental title off of him they should have moved him to SmackDown and put a new list of challengers in front of him. And moved Cody and the WWE championship to raw
Very good episode,
imagine being deluded enough to think a multi billion dollar company with guys who literally have wrestling in their blood hot shoted a heel turn storyline because they booked themselves into a corner. are you serious dude? that is the most ridiculous thing i have read in a minute lol. good luck bro.
Great episode.
Punk/Cody was there for the taking and Cena could’ve gone up against Gunther.
They knee jerked a heel turn because they booked themselves into a nepotism corner
Very good show
honestly don’t get the hate. like sure, there’s no major story here YET. But Punk/Rollins/Reigns has a lot of potential to be a high quality match. I’m legit looking forward to it and love that these three have wound up in a match together.
Great episode.
The triple threat match between them at Wrestlemania is gonna be awesome. Super stoked for this match
Great show
Let’s mention the women’s match in every live/hate challenge. Easiest task for this group of “journalists” ever. Each one of these love/hates are more embarrassing than the last. We get it, women’s wrestling is amazing and should main event every show and if a women’s match is bad it’s because where it is on the card or the booking it’s never the talent, all the women are top tier wrestlers.
Very good show
You wanna find out who the real simps and shills are? Mark down anybody who defends that main event match! Even the diehard AEW fans are crapping on that main event. It was terrible.
This Moxley stuff is stinking out the entire show and the dude seems to think he is Brock Lesnar.
The sad part is that this wasn’t a terrible show overall and with all things taken into an account. But at the end of the day, a bad ending can ruin a whole show for a lot of people. “Game of Thrones season 8” style.
Great show
So the crux of it all is that the PLE started strong…then ended with a sour belch.
The fans most remember how you left them and the fans are going to remember this show with a resounding “bleh”!
And any casual fan who watched with their buddies who are more diehard fans, may have left the viewing saying aloud, “That guy was pretty good. He should go to WWE”.
Great show.
I’ve said before but I think one of the issues here is that Tony is a massive fan of NJPW and often looks to emulate their PPV card structure. NJPW cards typically build to a climax with the big matches back to back and tend not to feature cool down matches or spots. Problem is western audiences haven’t been conditioned for that over the last 40 years, so often results in burnout. Personally I would have laid out the card like below giving breathing spaces, opening with the Steel Cage match and building to the Hollywood Ending as the main event.
Storm vs. May
Mox vs. Cope
Hangman vs. MJF
Hurt Syndicate vs. Outrunners
Takeshita vs. Omega
Swerve vs. Ricochet
Okada vs. King
Mone vs. Watanabe
Ospreay vs. Fletcher
Great episode.
Very good show, but the ending is what people remember. WWE ended Elimination Chamber with a huge heel turn. AEW ended Revolution with that abominable ending.
it doesn’t totally undo a great show, but it might have done more harm than good.
Very good show
I can already see Trips the mark statues, Trips the mark with a 20 minutes speech, the camera focusing onTrips the mark every 30 seconds when he is on the crowd.
Great show.
I’m glad they are bringing it back to a nice venue. The idea of hosting it immediately after Smackdown is insane. Why not put a highlight show or broadcast the Hall of Fame instead of airing Smackdown that week.
best of the best
Very good show tonight
clickbait
clickbait
It’s good
Yes
Loving it
Fantastic Article
Raw vs SD
The only switches from Raw vs SD were Breakker, and Jax?
Super excited about Kiana James to Raw.
Super excited about Kiana James to Raw. She’s been great on NXT so hopefully they don’t ruin her momentum.
I dunno what the Final
I dunno what the Final Testament want, but at this point I am afraid to ask.
Save yourself time and money a
Save yourself time and money and just say everyone on smackdown will stay on smackdown, everyone on raw will stay on raw. What clown wrote this episode?!
Willow should NOT lose
Willow should NOT lose to Moñe at Double or Nothing.
I love the work Mariah’s done with Toni,
I love the work Mariah’s done with Toni, but Ngl I would also love her just gal-palling around with Mina for a spell
I’m all in on joshi invasion of AEW.
I’m all in on joshi invasion of AEW. I’m kinda down for joshi invasion of all promotions honestly
Danielson is also a 21st century
That line makes me laugh like Danielson is also a 21st century wrestler
I’ve never heard of.
Uhg, some other random wrestler from a promotion I’ve never heard of.
This is going to be a squash match right?
Wait, Anna Jay isn’t in Dark Order?
not even the security guard
not even the security guard with the hogan beard is dragging me out of daily’s rn
Kurt V Bret V Perfect
Three other Ospreay dream matches
V Kurt V Bret V Perfect
I have never seen mina before.
I have never seen mina before…. But from the entrance alone i am a fan
I’ve ever seen. Good lord
Anna Jay one of the finest women I’ve ever seen. Good lord
May gets all the ladies.
May gets all the ladies.
Daily’s Place just feels right
Anna Jay match in Daily’s Place just feels right
Is Mina’s theme
Is Mina’s theme a rip of Danza Kaduro? 🕺🏻
I enjoy Fallon’s work in ring,
I enjoy Fallon’s work in ring, and her character work. I just wish she didn’t scream so much- every single move.
Was late tuning in tonight,
Was late tuning in tonight, went and watched the women’s title match, Tatum showed up and showed tf out. Sad she didn’t win but the sky’s the limit
Jensen getting back together
first step to Briggs and Jensen getting back together
I wonder if Fallon Henley gets called up,
I wonder if Fallon Henley gets called up, she’s not really in any important angles in NXT.
John Cena style
Jasmyn has that chiseled chin. John Cena style
“Thank you, Trish Jacey”
Jacey Jayne wants Thea to say “Thank you, Trish Jacey”
What a woman
Her weave fallen off and her not skipping a beat. What a woman. I’m all in on jaida parker
Jaida to get her feet
This OTM side quest was good for Jaida to get her feet wet but her ceiling is sooo much higher than Lucien, Bronco & SCRYPTS
Really don’t like that it’s the Women’s NXT North American Championship.
Really don’t like that it’s the Women’s NXT North American Championship. Besides being an awkward mouthful, it’s too derivative of Men’s midcard title.
Gratitude is not an option
“Gratitude is not an option but a debt that you will repay to me” lmao damn Jacy sounds so badass and ominous 😭
She’s got a really bright future.
Jaida’s only been doing this for a year and a half. She’s got a really bright future.
I love the implied narrative that
I love the implied narrative that it’s Nattie who is singlehandedly selling out a WWE tour of Europe
All these talks about call-ups,
All these talks about call-ups, I feel Jacy Jayne is more overdue than most. One of the best character workers around.
I feel like Jaida has been winning every week
I feel like Jaida has been winning every week for a while now but it hasn’t really gotten her anywhere lol
Booker’s about to faint during
Booker’s about to faint during the sexiest contract signing of all time.
SOMEONE CLIP THAT LEXIS KING
SOMEONE CLIP THAT LEXIS KING PART IN THE NXT SHOP COMMERCIAL AND MAKE IT A MEME
So.. Natalya had a ton of work done
So.. Natalya had a ton of work done on her face right? She had some weird angles to it when the camera followed her walking
Any recognise the photographer
Any recognise the photographer in the Baron/Lexis segment?