Dricus du Plessis News
UFC 312 | Pro fighters make their picks for Dricus Du Plessis vs Sean Strickland 2 title fight
Cole Shelton - February 5, 2025
In the main event of UFC 312, the middleweight title is up for grabs as Dricus Du Plessis rematches Sean Strickland. Heading into the fight, Du Plessis is a -215 favorite while the challenger is a +164 underdog on FanDuel. Ahead of the scrap, BJPENN.com reached out to several pro-fighters to get their predictions for the middleweight fight. The pros expect it to be another close fight, but the slight majority believe it will be Strickland getting his hand raised at UFC 312 to become the new champ.
Dricus du Plessis believes Israel Adesanya's days as a top UFC title contender are over: "You'll always have your legacy"
Josh Evanoff - February 5, 2025
UFC middleweight champion Dricus du Plessis has reacted to Israel Adesanya’s recent loss. ‘The Last Stylebender’ is fresh off his return to the octagon in the main event of UFC Saudi Arabia over the weekend. Back for the first time since a submission loss to Dricus du Plessis last fall, Israel Adesanya faced Nassourdine Imavov. ‘The Sniper’ entered the bout riding a three-fight winning streak, last scoring a decision win over Brendan Allen in September.
Dricus du Plessis praises Alex Pereira as one of the greatest combat sports athletes ever
Harry Kettle - February 5, 2025
UFC champion Dricus du Plessis has praised Alex Pereira as one of the greatest combat sports athletes ever ahead of UFC 312. In the last couple of years, Alex Pereira has blown MMA fans and media members away. He has been on an absolute tear, to the point where he is now known as a two-weight world champion. While he lost his middleweight crown, he’s the current king of the light heavyweight division, and he isn’t planning on surrendering that title anytime soon.
Sean Strickland expecting another "five-round war" against Dricus Du Plessis at UFC 312
Cole Shelton - February 4, 2025
Sean Strickland is expecting another war against Dricus Du Plessis at UFC 312. Strickland is set to rematch Du Plessis for the middleweight title in the main event of UFC 312 on Saturday in Australia. They first fought in January of 2024 when Strickland was the champ, but it was Du Plessis who won a split decision in a very close fight that could have gone either way.
Dricus du Plessis wanted Khamzat Chimaev fight, not Sean Strickland rematch for UFC 312
Fernando Quiles Jr. - February 3, 2025
Dricus du Plessis admits he would’ve liked to have been defending his UFC middleweight gold against Khamzat Chimaev this weekend. Du Plessis will instead have a title rematch against the man he defeated for the 185-pound hardware, Sean Strickland. In their first meeting, du Plessis earned a split decision victory. Strickland stood firm in his stance that he wouldn’t take another fight outside of his win over Paulo Costa before getting a chance to reclaim the middleweight title.
Sean Strickland blasts MMA judging criteria ahead of UFC 312 rematch against Dricus du Plessis
Fernando Quiles Jr. - February 2, 2025
Sean Strickland is not a fan of what the judges look for when scoring MMA fights. Strickland is set for a rematch against reigning UFC middleweight champion Dricus du Plessis. The two will do battle in the main event of UFC 312 on February 8th. Strickland lost the 185-pound gold to “Stillknocks” back in early 2024 via split decision. It’s a fight that Strickland believes he should’ve won and he blames the scoring criteria of judges for the defeat.
Dricus du Plessis reacts to Alex Pereira cornering Sean Strickland at UFC 312: 'They don't even speak the same language'
Fernando Quiles Jr. - January 30, 2025
Dricus du Plessis doesn’t sound too worried about Alex Pereira being in Sean Strickland’s corner. Pereira and Strickland were once opponents inside the Octagon, but have become training partners. Head coach Eric Nicksick recently told The Schmo that “Poatan” will be in Strickland’s corner for the middleweight title rematch against du Plessis at UFC 312 on February 8th. Strickland has heaped praise on Pereira as a sparring partner, and some are wondering if the UFC light heavyweight champion’s presence will give him a boost on fight night.
Dricus du Plessis explains why Islam Makhachev super fight would be 'easy payday' for him
Fernando Quiles Jr. - January 28, 2025
Dricus du Plessis doesn’t see Islam Makhachev giving him much of a problem if they ever share the Octagon. Both du Plessis and Makhachev currently hold UFC gold. The middleweight title belongs to du Plessis, and he will look to have a second successful defense when he meets Sean Strickland in a rematch on February 8th. As for Makhachev, he recently made history by setting a new record for the most successful UFC Lightweight Championship defenses when he submitted Renato Moicano.
Islam Makhachev calls out Dricus du Plessis as he teases double champ push
Harry Kettle - January 19, 2025
UFC lightweight champion Islam Makhachev has teased the idea of moving all the way up to middleweight. Last night, Islam Makhachev became the most decorated lightweight in UFC history. He did so by successfully defending his belt for a fourth time, submitting Renato Moicano in what proved to be a dominant performance.
Dricus du Plessis claims Khamzat Chimaev fight was discussed before UFC 312 booking against Sean Strickland
Fernando Quiles Jr. - December 11, 2024
Dricus du Plessis has revealed that a UFC title defense against Khamzat Chimaev was initially discussed. When du Plessis steps back inside Octagon, he’ll be facing a familiar foe. The reigning middleweight champion will go one-on-one with the man he narrowly defeated for the gold, Sean Strickland. The two first collided in early 2024 and it was du Plessis who scored the split decision win to capture the 185-pound gold.
Dricus Du Plessis reacts after booking Sean Strickland rematch for UFC 312: “This time they won’t call it a robbery, they’ll call it attempted murder”
Harry Kettle - December 10, 2024
UFC middleweight champion Dricus du Plessis has issued a warning heading into his upcoming title showdown with Sean Strickland. At UFC 312, it’s been confirmed that Dricus du Plessis will defend his belt against Sean Strickland – the man he captured the title from. It’s a showdown that has been in the making for a while now, and although some felt as if Khamzat Chimaev deserved a crack at the gold, instead it will be former champion Strickland who gets the nod.
Two title fights announced for UFC 312, including Dricus Du Plessis vs. Sean Strickland 2
Harry Kettle - December 8, 2024
Two championship fights have been announced for UFC 312 on February 8, including Dricus du Plessis vs Sean Strickland 2. As we look ahead to 2025, it’s time to start thinking about what kind of title fights we’re going to see in the new year. As we know, we’re going to get two championship bouts at UFC 311 in January when the promotion heads to Inglewood, California. Now, we also know that when they venture back to Sydney, Australia in February, it will be main evented by Dricus du Plessis vs Sean Strickland 2.
Sean Strickland gives UFC an ultimatum over Dricus du Plessis rematch
Curtis Calhoun - November 7, 2024
Former UFC middleweight champion Sean Strickland has conditions for a potential title rematch with Dricus du Plessis next year. Strickland hasn’t fought since a split decision win against former title challenger Paulo Costa at UFC 302. After defeating Costa, Strickland dug his boots into the ground and refused to fight until a title shot was offered.
Kamaru Usman unsure if Khamzat Chimaev can finish Dricus du Plessis: "There's a reason Dricus is the champ"
Fernando Quiles Jr. - October 31, 2024
Kamaru Usman is on the fence about whether or not Khamzat Chimaev can finish Dricus du Plessis. Chimaev has emerged as possibly the next UFC middleweight title contender. He stunned the MMA world by shoving Robert Whittaker’s bottom teeth in during his first-round submission win at UFC 308. Now, many are wondering if “Borz” has surpassed Sean Strickland in the pecking order at 185 pounds.
Dricus du Plessis picks a side in Khamzat Chimaev vs. Sean Strickland title shot debate
Curtis Calhoun - October 30, 2024
UFC middleweight champion Dricus du Plessis addressed the ongoing debate surrounding who should get the next title shot after a wild night at UFC 308. Khamzat Chimaev defeated former titleholder Robert Whittaker by first-round submission in the UFC 308 co-main event last weekend. Chimaev, who is now 2-0 in his middleweight tenure, is on the cusp of getting his shot at UFC gold after a roller coaster last few years.
UFC champion Dricus du Plessis expresses interest in fighting Khamzat Chimaev next: “I can’t wait to take your 0”
Harry Kettle - October 29, 2024
UFC middleweight champion Dricus du Plessis has expressed an interest in facing off against top challenger Khamzat Chimaev. Over the course of the last few years, Dricus du Plessis has firmly established himself as the best middleweight in the world. He’s done so by defeating some incredibly high level opponents, including Robert Whittaker, Sean Strickland and Israel Adesanya. The expectation, after his win over the latter, was that he’d battle Strickland in a rematch.
Surging UFC contender Anthony Hernandez sends message to 'tough motherf*****' Dricus du Plessis: "I'll see you soon"
Fernando Quiles Jr. - October 18, 2024
Anthony Hernandez has respect for Dricus du Plessis, but he also plans to go after UFC gold. Hernandez is riding a five-fight winning streak. In that span, he’s beaten the likes of Roman Kopylov and Edmen Shahbazyan. You’ll have to go back to the pandemic era to find Hernandez’s last defeat, and that was against the crafty Kevin Holland.
UFC middleweight champion Dricus du Plessis predicts a finish in his next fight
Harry Kettle - October 14, 2024
UFC middleweight champion Dricus du Plessis has seemingly predicted a finish for his next fight inside the cage. Over the course of the last few years, Dricus du Plessis has made a real name for himself in the Ultimate Fighting Championship. He introduced himself as an emerging contender but in a short space of time, he made his way to the very top of the division.