The UFC returns to Sydney’s Qudos Bank Arena for UFC 312, featuring a blockbuster middleweight title rematch between champion Dricus du Plessis (22-2) and former titleholder Sean Strickland (29-6) 28. The event also includes a pivotal strawweight title clash between Zhang Weili (25-3) and undefeated challenger Tatiana Suarez (10-0), alongside a card packed with Australian talent like Justin Tafa, Jimmy Crute, and Jake Matthews 24.
Fight Card Highlights
Main Card (ESPN+ PPV / Kayo Sports)
Middleweight Title Bout: Dricus du Plessis (c) vs. Sean Strickland 2 – A rematch of their 2024 split-decision thriller, with Du Plessis defending his belt and 10-fight win streak 812.
Strawweight Title Bout: Zhang Weili (c) vs. Tatiana Suarez – Zhang’s first fight since April 2024; Suarez aims to dethrone the champ with her elite wrestling 912.
Heavyweight Bout: Justin Tafa vs. Tallison Teixeira – Tafa seeks redemption against the undefeated Brazilian prospect 28.
Light Heavyweight Bout: Jimmy Crute vs. Rodolfo Bellato – Crute fights to revive his career; Bellato rides a four-fight win streak 2.
Welterweight Bout: Jake Matthews vs. Francisco Prado – Both fighters look to break a .500 run in recent bouts 2.
Preliminary Card (ESPN2/ESPN+)
Featherweight: Jack Jenkins vs. Gabriel Santos
Lightweight: Tom Nolan vs. Viacheslav Borshchev
Flyweight: Wang Cong vs. Bruna Brasil 12.
Early Prelims (ESPN+ / UFC Fight Pass)
Lightweight: Quillan Salkilld vs. Anshul Jubli – Jubli, India’s rising star, faces local favorite Salkilld 410.
Pre-Fight Drama
Du Plessis vs. Strickland 2: The rivalry intensified this week when Strickland accused Du Plessis of fabricating a staph infection. Du Plessis fired back: “There are no pacts between lions and men” 89.
Zhang vs. Suarez: Suarez, an eight-time wrestling medalist, has not fought since 2023 due to injury but remains a betting underdog against Zhang’s striking prowess 89.
Betting Odds & Predictions
Du Plessis (-218) vs. Strickland (+180): Odds favor the champion’s grappling and endurance 39.
Zhang (-375) vs. Suarez (+295): Zhang’s experience gives her the edge, but Suarez’s ground game could surprise 39.
Tafa (+140) vs. Teixeira (-166): Teixeira’s Contender Series hype makes him the
Fight Card Highlights
Main Card (ESPN+ PPV / Kayo Sports)
Middleweight Title Bout: Dricus du Plessis (c) vs. Sean Strickland 2 – A rematch of their 2024 split-decision thriller, with Du Plessis defending his belt and 10-fight win streak 812.
Strawweight Title Bout: Zhang Weili (c) vs. Tatiana Suarez – Zhang’s first fight since April 2024; Suarez aims to dethrone the champ with her elite wrestling 912.
Heavyweight Bout: Justin Tafa vs. Tallison Teixeira – Tafa seeks redemption against the undefeated Brazilian prospect 28.
Light Heavyweight Bout: Jimmy Crute vs. Rodolfo Bellato – Crute fights to revive his career; Bellato rides a four-fight win streak 2.
Welterweight Bout: Jake Matthews vs. Francisco Prado – Both fighters look to break a .500 run in recent bouts 2.
Preliminary Card (ESPN2/ESPN+)
Featherweight: Jack Jenkins vs. Gabriel Santos
Lightweight: Tom Nolan vs. Viacheslav Borshchev
Flyweight: Wang Cong vs. Bruna Brasil 12.
Early Prelims (ESPN+ / UFC Fight Pass)
Lightweight: Quillan Salkilld vs. Anshul Jubli – Jubli, India’s rising star, faces local favorite Salkilld 410.
Pre-Fight Drama
Du Plessis vs. Strickland 2: The rivalry intensified this week when Strickland accused Du Plessis of fabricating a staph infection. Du Plessis fired back: “There are no pacts between lions and men” 89.
Zhang vs. Suarez: Suarez, an eight-time wrestling medalist, has not fought since 2023 due to injury but remains a betting underdog against Zhang’s striking prowess 89.
Betting Odds & Predictions
Du Plessis (-218) vs. Strickland (+180): Odds favor the champion’s grappling and endurance 39.
Zhang (-375) vs. Suarez (+295): Zhang’s experience gives her the edge, but Suarez’s ground game could surprise 39.
Tafa (+140) vs. Teixeira (-166): Teixeira’s Contender Series hype makes him the
