Du Plessis Breaks Strickland's Nose; Retains Middleweight Title

Dricus du Plessis retained his UFC middleweight title, beating Sean Strickland in a unanimous decision at UFC 312.

The clash took place from the Qudos Bank Arena in Sydney, Australia, as Du Plessis took a wide decision: 50-45, 50-45, 49-46. Strickland started the fight slowly, looking gun-shy in the first round. Du Plessis landed a switch-kick upstairs, taking the first round. Du Plessis’ volume was troubling Sean as the South African targeted the legs. Sean landed a counter right hand. But Du Plessis responded with a left & switch kick upstairs to take round two.

Heading into round three, Strickland’s front leg showed clear damage. Du Plessis connected with a spinning back fist and an elbow. Sean ate the shots and returned fire. But Du Plessis got a takedown to edge the round. Round four was another big round for Du Plessis. The champion broke Strickland’s nose, which continued to pour with blood. Sean had to get a stoppage, but it never looked like coming as Du Plessis kept his belt. Du Plessis has now established himself as one of the best P4P fighters in the world. 

Post-Fight

"I’m trying to knock this man out, to knock him out is next to impossible. I’d love another round, but that’s not the game. I gave it my all, I’m sorry I couldn’t get him out of here. “It was really hard, once I saw him grabbing at his nose, [to stay calm]. It took me about 30 seconds to a minute to get everything back to composure," Du Plessis said 

"The game plan was to stay calm, and that was really hard once I saw him grabbing at his nose like that. It’s like having someone in front of you who is rocked. It took me 30 seconds to a minute to get back my composure. I don’t want to make a habit of [going to decision], but against a competitor like [Strickland], it happens," Du Plessis added 

"When that [man] broke my nose, I was like, ‘Oh, that doesn’t feel right,’ popped it back in place, I kept fighting for you. The Dutchman is a bad [man]. He kicked my ass fair and square, props to him," Strickland revealed 

Full Card

Dricus du Plessis (c) def Sean Strickland via unanimous decision (50-45, 50-45, 49-46)

Zhang Weili (c) def. Tatiana Suarez via unanimous decision (49-46, 49-46, 49-45)

Tallison Teixeira def. Justin Tafa via first-round knockout (elbow, punches)

Rodolfo Bellato vs. Jimmy Crute ends in majority draw (28-28, 28-28, 29-27)

Jake Matthews def. Francisco Prado via unanimous decision (30-27, 30-27, 30-27)

Gabriel Santos def. Jack Jenkins via third-round submission (rear naked choke)

Tom Nolan def. Viacheslav Borshchev via unanimous decision (29-28, 29-28, 30-27)

Wang Cong def. Bruna Brasil via unanimous decision (30-27, 30-27, 30-27)

Aleksandre Topuria def. Colby Thicknesse via unanimous decision (30-27, 30-27, 30-27)

Rongzhu def. Kody Steele via unanimous decision (30-27, 30-27, 30-27)

Jonathan Micallef def. Kevin Jousset via unanimous decision (29-28, 29-28, 29-28)

Quillan Salkilld def. Anshul Jubli via first-round knockout (punch)

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