Sun Feb 09 07:00:00 UTC 2025: **UFC 312: Champions Retain Titles in Sydney Thriller**
Sydney, Australia – UFC 312 at Qudos Bank Arena delivered a night of thrilling action, culminating in two dominant title defenses. Middleweight champion Dricus du Plessis secured a unanimous decision victory over Sean Strickland, ending their rivalry with a decisive win. Du Plessis controlled the fight, particularly after a devastating right hand in the fourth round that bloodied Strickland’s nose. This victory marks Du Plessis’ ninth consecutive UFC win and elevates his record to 23-2.
Strawweight champion Zhang Weili also successfully defended her title, showcasing a masterful performance against Tatiana Suarez. While Suarez controlled the early grappling, Weili reversed the momentum, dominating the latter rounds with superior striking and takedown defense. This was Weili’s third successful title defense in her second reign as champion.
The main card also featured exciting bouts. Jake Matthews earned a unanimous decision victory over Francisco Prado, while a back-and-forth battle between Jimmy Crute and Rodolfo Bellato ended in a majority draw. Heavyweight newcomer Tallison Teixeira made a stunning debut, securing a first-round knockout victory over Justin Tafa.
The event, held on February 8th, 2024, was broadcast live on PPV, featuring preliminary bouts starting at 8 pm ET/5 pm PT and the main card at 10 pm ET/7 pm PT. The event’s success solidified its position as a memorable addition to the UFC’s history.
First Piper 