Sun Feb 09 08:01:29 UTC 2025: ## Du Plessis Dominates Strickland in Bloody Sydney Rematch, Retains UFC Middleweight Belt
**Sydney, Australia** – Dricus du Plessis successfully defended his UFC middleweight title against Sean Strickland in a brutal and bloody rematch held in Sydney on Sunday. The South African champion secured a unanimous decision victory (50-45, 50-45, 49-46), extending his record to 23-2 and solidifying his position as the top fighter in the 185-pound division.
The fight was a stark contrast to their closely contested January 2023 clash in Toronto. This time, du Plessis controlled the pace, utilizing effective head kicks and powerful combinations that left Strickland with a severely damaged nose, visibly bleeding throughout the later rounds. Strickland, acknowledging the defeat in a post-fight interview, confirmed his nose was broken but praised du Plessis’ performance.
Du Plessis, the first South African UFC champion, expressed his desire for a more decisive victory, aiming for a knockout or submission, but ultimately praised his own performance and the fight’s outcome.
The main card also featured a dominant performance by women’s strawweight champion Zhang Weili, who secured a unanimous decision victory over previously undefeated challenger Tatiana Suarez in her third consecutive title defense. Zhang, considered one of the best pound-for-pound female fighters, extended her record to 26-3.
First Piper 