We're heading to Sydney, Australia for UFC 312, where the Middleweight title will be up for grabs as reigning champ Dricuss Du Plessis faces off against former champion Sean Strickland. In the co-main event, the Women's Strawweight championship will be contested between the dominant Zhang Weili and rising star Tatiana Suarez. While this card may not be getting the attention online for its lack of star power, it's packed with UFC debuts and matchups that are sure to deliver some bangers.

Main Card

(C) Dricus Du Plessis #1 Sean Strickland
Middleweight Title Bout - 185 lbs

This week's main event features a highly anticipated 185lb rematch between Dricuss Du Plessis and Sean Strickland. Last year, in a razor-close split decision, Du Plessis claimed the Middleweight title from Strickland. Now, after dethroning Israel Adesanya, Du Plessis is set to face Strickland again, with the winner likely to take on Khamzat Chimaev.

Du Plessis is known for his raw power and unorthodox style, relying on heavy punches and takedowns. Though he’s often criticized for looking gassed, he never slows down and continually surprises with his unrefined approach. Strickland, on the other hand, is a highly technical striker, using a forward-moving attack with teep kicks and jabs while maintaining a defensively sound Philly shell. His style often results in split decisions due to its conservative nature.

Will Strickland alter his game plan to avoid another narrow loss, or will Du Plessis continue to overpower him with his relentless, unpredictable approach?

- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -

(C) Zhang Weili vs #1 Tatiana Suarez
Strawweight Title Bout - 115 lbs

Zhang Weili has been a dominant force in the women’s strawweight division, facing the best of the best for years. With her exceptional striking and raw power, she has reigned over the division, backed by a wealth of elite-level experience.

Tatiana Suarez, the division's dark horse, has had a unique journey. Once an Olympic wrestling hopeful, her dreams were derailed by cancer, followed by a series of debilitating injuries that delayed her path to the title far longer than anyone anticipated. Suarez is a dominant wrestler, but due to her lengthy time away from the octagon, her striking skills remain largely untested.

Now, the question is: can Suarez claim the gold and cement her place in history with one of the most incredible comeback stories in the sport?

- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -

Justin Tafa vs Tallison Teixeira
Heavyweight Bout - 265 lbs

Making his UFC debut, Tallison Teixeira enters the octagon as amassive human being with incredible athletic ability. Though he’s yet to face a serious challenge, he’ll meet Justin Tafa, one of the most exciting and powerful strikers in the heavyweight division. Tafa thrives in a brawl, relying on his iron chin and heavy hands to overwhelm opponents. His key to success lies in his ability to control the pace with heavy leg kicks, which open up devastating punches. The question is: will the untested Teixeira engage in a stand-up war with one of the division's hardest hitters, or will he showcase a ground game capable of securing the win?

- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -

Jimmy Crute vs Rodolfo Bellato
Light Heavyweight Bout - 205 lbs

Jimmy Crute is a well-rounded fighter with solid wrestling and striking skills. However, he has at times struggled to capitalize on ground control. After his last fight, he briefly considered retiring due to mixed results, so it will be intriguing to see his mindset heading into this weekend’s bout. On the other side of the cage, Rodolfo Bellato is a pressure-heavy striker with devastating power, always looking for a fight. While his wrestling isn’t elite, once he gets the fight to the ground, he’s effective with solid ground control and a dangerous submission game.

- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -

Jake Matthews vs Francisco Prado
Welterweight Bout - 170 lbs

Jake Matthews is a well-rounded MMA fighter with strong wrestling skills. His striking is effective, blending powerful head and body shots to keep opponents guessing. On the other hand, Prado is a heavy hitter known for his looping punches and kicks. While wrestling isn't his primary focus, he’s able to use his explosive strikes to set up takedowns and control the action to win rounds.

Prelims

Jack Jenkins vs Gabriel Santos
Featherweight Bout - 145 lbs

Jack Jenkins is an exciting striker to watch, known for his relentless leg kicks that have earned him several wins via leg breaks. He packs solid power in his hands and boasts excellent takedown defense. Jenkins excels at applying pressure, controlling opponents against the cage with ease. On the other side, Santos is an aggressive striker who throws heavy punches to create openings for his takedowns. Once the fight hits the ground, he mixes ground and pound with submissions, keeping his opponents on edge and constantly guessing.

- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -

Tom Nolan vs Viacheslav Borshchev
Lightweight Bout - 155 lbs

Tom Nolan is a long, technical striker with excellent accuracy, using his reach to maintain distance before shifting into a brawl. He relies on his power and volume to dictate the pace of the fight on the feet. Across from him is Borshchev, a fighter who could disrupt that game plan. As a high-level kickboxer and Team Alpha Male’s striking coach, Borshchev possesses a sharp jab and solid power. On the feet, he’s known for controlling the pace, but takedowns remain a weakness that opponents have been able to exploit.

- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -

Wang Cong vs Bruna Brasil
Flyweight Bout - 125 lbs

Wang Cong is a rising UFC fighter eager to make a name for herself. After suffering a heavy loss as a -1200 favorite, this fight will be crucial in shaping her future in the promotion. A former kickboxer, Wang is best known for her victory over current UFC Flyweight champion Valentina Shevchenko. Her game plan revolves around using her power and speed to dominate on the feet. In contrast, Brasil may not be as refined in striking, but she makes up for it with unorthodox techniques and significant power. She prefers to march forward and bring the fight directly to her opponents.

- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -

Colby Thicknesse vs Aleksandre Topuria
Bantamweight Bout - 135 lbs

This fight features two UFC debutants, both coming from notable teams. Colby Thicknesse, a longtime training partner of Alexander Volkanovski, is stepping in on one week's notice to face Aleksandre Topuria, the brother of UFC star Ilia Topuria. Thicknesse is primarily a grappler, using his striking mainly to set up clinches or takedowns. When he does strike, he adopts a bouncy, light-on-his-feet style with low hands. Topuria, on the other hand, is a high-level wrestler who excels on the feet with his creative and powerful striking. Always seeking a war, he marches forward at a relentless pace, making for an exciting clash of styles.

Early Prelims

Rongzhu vs Kody Steele
Lightweight Bout - 155 lbs

Kody Steele is making his UFC debut with a strong reputation, transitioning into MMA after an impressive college wrestling career. Known for his excellent grappling, chain wrestling, and powerful takedowns, Steele’s striking remains basic as he continues to develop. He gained significant attention when his Dana White’s Contender Series opponent withdrew before the fight even began. Across from him is Rongzhu, a skilled striker who applies pressure by marching forward and picking his shots, rather than overwhelming his opponents with a flurry of punches. This clash of styles sets the stage for an exciting debut for Steele.

- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -

Jonathan Micallef vs Kevin Jousset
Welterweight Bout - 170 lbs

Jonathan Micallef is also making his UFC debut, and while he may not be known for flashy moves, he’s a well-rounded fighter who focuses on controlling the pace of the fight rather than relying on big punches or submissions. His opponent, Jousset, is a solid striker who uses relentless forward pressure to dominate the cage. Once he’s got his opponent pinned against the cage, he’s known to mix in takedowns, adding another layer to his aggressive style.

- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -

Quillan Salkilld vs Anshul Jubli
Lightweight Bout - 155 lbs

Salkilld enters the UFC debut as the biggest favorite on the card, bringing a strong striking game with an impressive kicking arsenal. He excels at managing distance and targeting his opponent's body, and his striking awareness is one of his key strengths—if he’s not winning on the feet, he’s quick to shoot for a takedown. What stands out most about Salkilld is his toughness; he's proven to be a fighter who's always willing to engage in a war. On the other side, Jubli is a highly technical and skilled fighter whose technique sets him apart. While he doesn’t rely on heart alone, his precision and speed, particularly when shooting for takedowns, make him a dangerous opponent.

Enjoy the Fights!