By Kevin Rademeyer.
Dricus du Plessis is on the cusp of cementing his legacy as one of the greatest UFC middleweights. On Sunday, the South African champion will step into the octagon at UFC 312 in Sydney, Australia, to defend his title against Sean Strickland for the second time. The rematch, while not as highly anticipated as other potential matchups, remains a significant test of Du Plessis’s hunger and ability to dominate the division.
Du Plessis, known for his aggressive and unpredictable fighting style, has been described by some as awkward, messy and wild. But there is no denying its effectiveness. His fourth-round submission victory over Israel Adesanya extended his UFC unbeaten streak to eight fights, making him one of the top pound-for-pound fighters in the organization.
His fighting arsenal includes heavy hooks, devastating elbows, and flashy flying knees, making him a nightmare to predict. However, this offensive aggression often leaves him open to counterattacks, making every fight a high-risk, high-reward spectacle.
In contrast, Strickland embodies a more measured, methodical approach. He pressures opponents relentlessly, wearing them down before striking with calculated precision. His upright stance and blocking techniques allow him to absorb damage while dictating the pace of the fight. Strickland’s style is not the most exciting, but his effectiveness cannot be questioned. He has mastered the art of controlling the octagon, forcing opponents to fight on his terms.
At 31, Du Plessis has already defeated some of the biggest names in the middleweight division, including Adesanya and Robert Whittaker. A victory over Strickland would extend his unbeaten UFC run to nine fights over five years and solidify his reign as champion.
Despite their previous five-round war, Du Plessis remains laser-focused on securing a definitive finish this time around. “I’m going out there looking for that finish from the first bell,” he told the media. “And if it has to go to the last bell, I’ll be looking for that knockout from the word go until the end of the fight.”
Beyond their fighting styles, Du Plessis and Strickland have also found themselves in the political spotlight. Both have openly expressed their support for former U.S. President Donald Trump, and Du Plessis even wore a “Trump prefers champions” T-shirt during media day. Their shared political views contrast sharply with the bitter rivalry Du Plessis had with Adesanya, which was fuelled by a larger debate on African identity.
Strickland, never one to shy away from controversy, has used the pre-fight press conferences to stir up headlines. Whether taking aim at Australian media or making remarks about women’s roles, he has continued his tradition of provocative rhetoric. Yet, beneath the verbal jabs, there seems to be a level of mutual respect between the two fighters.
However, there is some speculation about Du Plessis’s motivation heading into this fight. He has openly admitted that he would have preferred a fresh challenge against Khamzat Chimaev rather than a rematch with Strickland. “The rematch was the next one up,” Du Plessis explained. “I would have preferred that Khamzat fight, but here we are.”
The lukewarm excitement surrounding this fight raises an important question: Is Du Plessis still hungry enough? Strickland, ranked No. 1 in the division, has earned his shot, but the South African’s comments suggest he was looking forward to a fight that would elevate his legacy further rather than revisiting an opponent he has already beaten.
Does he still have the fire to dominate? Or will Strickland’s relentless pressure expose cracks in the South African’s game? The answers will be revealed when the cage door closes in Sydney.
The main fight takes place at approximately 05:00 South African Standard Time.