Champions Dominate at UFC 312
The UFC returns to Sydney, Australia for UFC 312. The main event is a highly anticipated rematch for the Middleweight title between the defending Champion Dricus Du Plessis and the number one-ranked Middleweight contender Sean Strickland. The co-main event is another title fight between defending Champion Zhang Weili and elite undefeated challenger Tatiana Suarez in the Strawweight division. I will also break down each fight on the main card in depth.
The first fight on the main card is an exciting striking matchup in the Welterweight division between Jake Matthews and Francisco Prado. The fight started with Matthews leaning on his boxing and countering Prado well. Matthews's striking looks crisp and sharp to start. Matthew was able to land the bigger shots in range and in the clinch while Prado was able to work on Matthews's lead leg and land a takedown at the end of the round. The second round started with Jake closing off the cage and landing some nice shots to the head and body Prado is beginning to wear it as the damage is starting to pile up. Prado landed some nice leg kicks but needs a finish as we head into round three. The final round started the same way the first two had with Jake putting Prado on the back foot and walking him down and landing combinations. Numbers are close but the bigger more damaging shots all fight have come from Celtic Kid. Jake Matthews was able to win this fight on all scorecards by Unanimous decision.
The second fight of the night featured the returning Jimmy Crute taking on Rodolfo Bellato. Bellato went for a massive takedown and ended up dumping Crute on top of himself giving Crute the advantage and great positioning. Crute was able to do serious work and land good shots on the ground. When they returned to their feet crute caught Bellato with a right hook that dropped him and almost finished the fight. Crute came out aggressive to start the second round by Bellato using a calf kick to slow Crute down and was able to work back in the fight. Both fighters landed big shots but Bellato was able to significantly damage the lead leg of Crute and land some nice hooks in close, a very close round. Both fighters left it all out there landing good combinations but Bellato continued to chew his lead leg and that allowed him to land more body shots and eventually jabs and hooks to the head. This fight is likely a draw. The final scorecards read 28-28 for a majority draw.
The next fight is a heavy-hitting affair between Justin Tafa and Tallison Teixeira. Teixeria blizted Tafa right away trying for a takedown but it was defended well. Teixeria was able to land a left knee and a brutal elbow in the clinch that dropped Tafa and was able to finish the first in the first round. Teixeria was able to pull off a massive KO victory in his UFC debut.
Tatiana Suarez put her 11-0 undefeated record on the line in the co-main event as she tries her first crack at the Strawweight Champion Zhang Weili. Suarez was able to get a body lock when Weili came in close and secured her first takedown. Suarez couldn't land much on the ground but controlled her for most of the round. She jumped a guillotine but got countered well and Weili was able to get on top and land some nice shots. Suarez went for another takedown and got countered again and Weili was able to get into mount and land big shots. When they got back to their feet Weili landed a massive one-two. The momentum has completely shifted and with every failed takedown Suarez's energy is going to be depleted. Early in round three, Weili landed a devastating right hand that wobbled Suarez. A beautiful round from the Champion as she was able to defend every takedown and landed almost everything she threw. Weili landed an inside trip to secure a takedown on Suarez early in round four. Suarez was able to defend a head and arm choke and stay alive in this fight. After securing that early takedown Weili was able to do nice work on the ground and control her for the entire round. Going into the final round Suarez needs a finish. Weili is so fluid in her striking and her furious attitude is showing. She once again was able to defend everything and end up once again up on top again. Weili was able to retain her Strawweight title by unanimous decision and take Tatiana Suarez’s zero in the process.
Dricus Du Plessis puts his Middleweight title on the line in a rematch against Sean Strickland. Both fighters picked their spots as they felt each other out and both landed good shots, DDP landed a more variety of strikes while Strickland was landing mainly jabs and deep kicks up the middle. Another tight round but DDP was more active and landed more significant strikes which most likely won him the round. DDP landed a pinpoint spinning back fist and a spinning elbow that landed flush in round three. Strickland was able to land some nice one-twos and open up a little bit. DDP was able to break Stricklands' nose early in round four with a nasty straight right down the middle. He was on the gas the whole round but Strickland was able to defend well and not have anything more significant land in the round. Going into the final round Sean needs a finish. DDP didn’t sit on his lead as he continued to push the pace and walk Strickland down. Du Plessis was able to pitch a shutout and retain his Middleweight title by unanimous decision.
