Dricus du Plessis defended his UFC middleweight title in a fierce matchup against Sean Strickland at UFC 312 in Sydney, inflicting heavy damage, including a broken nose for Strickland. The rematch saw Strickland struggling to cope with du Plessis’s relentless aggression, falling behind in significant strikes during the early rounds.
Commentators, including Daniel Cormier, urged Strickland to increase his output, and his corner issued an ultimatum at the end of the third round, emphasising the need for him to push harder. However, Strickland endured more punishment when du Plessis landed a powerful strike that left his nose severely injured, prompting concern from commentators about the extent of the damage.
Despite the pain, Strickland remained determined, acknowledging the injury during his post-fight interview, where he expressed his love for the fans and described the moment he reset his nose before continuing to fight. In contrast, du Plessis expressed that achieving a knockout would be challenging, stating he aimed for either a submission or complete dominance, which he felt he achieved throughout the fight. Ultimately, du Plessis retained his title, while Strickland displayed remarkable resilience in the face of adversity.