UFC 312: Dricus Du Plessis Dominates Sean Strickland to Claim Middleweight Title

UFC 312 brought non-stop action as the promotion made its much-anticipated return down under. The event delivered an electrifying middleweight title showdown between Sean Strickland and Dricus Du Plessis, with an action-packed co-main event that had fans on the edge of their seats.

Now that the dust has settled, let’s break down the fight results, highlights, and fighter earnings from UFC 312.

Dricus Du Plessis vs Sean Strickland: Fight Recap

Round 1: A Tactical Start

Du Plessis started the fight aggressively, moving swiftly and landing powerful strikes while Strickland maintained his usual forward-pressing stance, relying heavily on his jab and counter-punching. As the round progressed, Du Plessis increased his striking output, landing effective head kicks and body shots while Strickland remained somewhat passive.

Round 2: Du Plessis Takes Over

The second round saw Du Plessis turning up the pressure, unleashing explosive strikes that had Strickland struggling to keep up. A spinning back fist followed by a spinning elbow caught Strickland off guard, opening a cut on his chin. The South African continued his relentless offensive attack, forcing Strickland to backpedal and struggle to regain control.

Round 3: Du Plessis in Full Control

By the third round, it was evident that Du Plessis was in command. His strikes were landing clean, snapping Strickland’s head back repeatedly. Strickland had difficulty mounting a comeback as Du Plessis dictated the pace with precise striking, leaving no room for Strickland to counter effectively.

UFC 312 Fighter Payouts & Bonuses

While the official UFC fighter salaries are not always disclosed, estimated earnings from UFC 312 suggest significant paydays for both the main and co-main event fighters.

📌 Estimated UFC 312 Payouts (Main Event):
✔ Dricus Du Plessis: $500,000 (including win bonus) 🏆
✔ Sean Strickland: $400,000

💰 Performance Bonuses:
✔ Fight of the Night Bonus: $50,000 (Likely awarded to Du Plessis & Strickland)
✔ Performance of the Night Bonus: $50,000 (Potentially awarded to standout fighters from the event)

Fighters often earn additional revenue through pay-per-view (PPV) points, sponsorships, and UFC discretionary bonuses.

What’s Next for Dricus Du Plessis & Sean Strickland?

🔥 Dricus Du Plessis’ Future:
With this dominant victory, Du Plessis has officially claimed the UFC Middleweight Championship. The question now is: Who will be his first title defense opponent?

Potential next fights for Du Plessis:
✔ Israel Adesanya Rematch – A blockbuster fight could be on the horizon.
✔ Jared Cannonier – A fresh challenger for the title.

🔥 What’s Next for Sean Strickland?
After losing his title, Strickland will look for redemption in his next fight. Potential matchups include:
✔ Robert Whittaker – A high-stakes fight to determine the next title challenger.
✔ Paulo Costa – A must-watch striking battle.

A New Middleweight King in UFC 312

UFC 312 proved to be an explosive event, marking the arrival of a new middleweight champion in Dricus Du Plessis. His dominant performance over Sean Strickland signals a new era for the division.

💬 What do you think of Du Plessis’ performance? Who should he fight next? Drop your thoughts in the comments!