The UFC roadshow pitches up and moves from Saudi Arabia to Sydney, Australia this weekend as UFC 312 goes down at the Qudos Bank Arena and much like last week's offering in Riyadh, the middleweight division is once again under the spotlight.
Dricus Du Plessis and Sean Strickland meet for the second time just over a year after their first clash at UFC 297 which saw "Stillknocks" dethrone Strickland and win the title, while Zhang Weili will also put her strawweight belt on the line when she faces the unbeaten Tatiana Suarez.
Let's take a look at the fights that make up the main card at UFC 312.
Main Event - Dricus Du Plessis vs. Sean Strickland (UFC Middleweight Championship)
Dricus Du Plessis (22-2 MMA, 8-0 UFC) is quietly compiling one of the most impressive resumes in modern mixed martial arts. After finishing former champion Robert Whittaker to earn his title shot, the South African bullied and harassed Strickland through 5 whole rounds in Toronto, Canada early last year to grind out a split decision victory and walk away with the middleweight title around his waist.
He went on to successfully defend the belt against long-time champion Israel Adesanya at UFC 305 in August, weathering a storm before submitting "The Last Stylebender" in the fourth round of their clash in Perth, Western Autralia. Having taken out champions in his last three fights, it's safe to say nobody will be looking past Du Plessis going into UFC 312 this weekend.
Strickland (29-6 MMA, 16-6 UFC) bounced back after losing the belt to Du Plessis by beating Paulo Costa at UFC 302 in June and the Xtreme Couture representative will need to figure out a way to deal with the relentless pressure the champion brings, something he struggled with in their first meeting.
The overbearing shadow of Khamzat Chimaev awaits the winner of this weekend's main event.
Co-Main Event - Zhang Weili vs. Tatiana Suarez (UFC Strawweight Championship)
Tatiana Suarez has an opportunity to realise her exceptional potential this weekend when she is thrust into a 5-round title fight against Zhang Weili. Suarez (10-0 MMA, 7-0 UFC) has long been spoken about as a fighter of real promise but ever since winning season 23 of The Ultimate Fighter, the 34-year-old has struggled to stay healthy enough to showcase her talents.
Suarez has competed just twice since June 2019 but on the rare occassions she has made it to the Octagon, she has looked a cut above the rest at 115 lbs. Suarez is huge for the weight category and will carry a 3-inch reach advantage into this fight (a significant asset to have in the lower weight classes). With a lifetime of wrestling behind her and a litany of submission wins to her name throughout her career, it's clear where her path to victory lies this weekend.
Zhang Weili (25-3 MMA, 9-2 UFC) returns to the Octagon for the first time since her 5-round domination of Yan Xiaonan at UFC 300 last year. "Magnum" won the strawweight belt for the second time when she submitted Carla Esparza in november of 2022 and having looked imperious as she defended the title against Amanda Lemos and Xiaonan, she will be confident she has the tools to quell the hype surrounding Suarez this weekend.
Tallison Teixeira vs. Justin Tafa (Heavyweight)
A potential 'fight of the night' in the middle of the main card, as UFC newcomer Tallison Teixeira (7-0 MMA) makes the walk to the Octagon for the first time to take on Aussie favorite Justin Tafa (7-4 MMA, 4-4 UFC).
Teixeira knocked out Arthur Lopes on Dana White's Contender Series to book his place in the big elagues last September and the Brazilian has managed to finish all 7 of his professional victories inside the opening 5 minutes, whereas Tafa has struggled for consistency during his UFC tenure but has finished all 4 of his wins in the opening round.
Don't blink!
Jimmy Crute vs. Rodolfo Bellato (Light Heavyweight)
Melbourne native Jimmy Crute (12-4-1 MMA, 4-4-1 UFC) faces Brazil's Rodolfo Bellato (12-2 MMA, 1-0 UFC) this Saturday knowing full well that his job is likely to be on the line. Crute has lost 3 and drawn 1 in his last 4 outings, and his last win inside the Octagon came against Modestas Bukauskas back in October of 2020.
Jake Matthews vs. Francisco Prado (Welterweight)
Jake Matthews (20-7 MMA, 13-7 UFC) makes his 21st appearance inside the Octagon when he faces Argentinian prospect Francisco Prado (12-2 MMA, 1-2 UFC). Prado carries knockout power early but if Matthews can remain composed, he should be able to make his considerable experience count.
