After the first PPV of the year is in the books for the UFC, we look forward to the next, UFC 312. Set to take place in Sydney, Australia, UFC 312 will feature two title fights, however, outside of that, the entire card is fairly weak.
We look at the main card specifically and analyse the fighters taking part.
UFC 312’s Main Card
Main Event – Dricus du Plessis vs Sean Strickland for the Middleweight Title
The main event sees a rematch between Dricus du Plessis and Sean Strickland. The South African will be looking to make the second defence of his strap and extend his 10-fight winning run. Included within this winning run is a split decision victory over none other than former champion, Sean Strickland. The brash American is coming off a split-decision victory over Paulo Costa.
The issue with this fight is that Strickland arguably isn’t the #1 contender. He’s coming off just one win over a fighter in Costa who is dreadfully out of form. The Brazilian entered the bout 1-3 in his last four fights ahead of the Strickland clash. There’s a man in the division who is far more deserving of a shot at the belt, the undefeated Khamzat Chimaev. He logically should have been next for du Plessis.
Fight rating: 6/10 – It isn’t a bad fight in itself, it just isn’t the one fans want to see
Co-Main Event – Zhang Weili vs Tatiana Suarez for the Flyweight Title
The co-main event features another title fight when flyweight queen, Zhang Weili puts her belt on the line for the third time when she meets undefeated, wrestling phenom, Tatiana Suarez.
Whilst the fight makes a lot of sense, it’s a risk. Suarez is a phenomenal fighter, is undefeated and has dominated everyone she’s faced previously. The issue is that she’s prone to pulling out of a fight. She hasn’t competed in over 17 months (by fight night) and has had to withdraw from two straight bouts due to injury.
Zhang has defeated #2, #4 and #5, each in a dominant fashion. Suarez, to many a causal fan is simply seen as just the next contender for the #2 women’s P4P fighter. It isn’t a fight that massively crosses over to the mainstream, despite Suarez’s fascinating back story.
Fight rating: 5/10 – We have a great fight, it just, unfortunately, comes with a risk and doesn’t cross over to the mainstream
The remainder of the UFC 312 Main Card
As for ranked fighters, that’s it for UFC 312 as a whole. Not one, single-ranked fighter competes on the remainder of the card, regardless of whether it’s on the main card or the prelims.
Justin Tafa vs Tallison Teixeira
Expect fireworks from this one and don’t expect a long night. Through a combined 14 wins, we have 14 finishes, 13 knockouts and a single submission. The undefeated Tallison Teixeira steps into enemy territory to take on Justin Tafa, who fights out of Australia.
The Brazilian makes his UFC debut, whereas Tafa is 1-1 in his last two. It’ll be fun for as long as it lasts, but it isn’t a ‘great’ fight.
Rating: 6/10 based on the fact it will end in a knockout
Jimmy Crute vs Rodolfo Bellato
Jimmy Crute returns from retirement to compete just under two years after stepping away from the sport. The Aussie is still only 28, however, is grinding through an unwanted four-fight run without a win, three losses and a draw. He last competed in July 2023.
He takes on replacement fighter, Rodolfo Bellato. The former LFA light heavyweight champion holds a record of 12-2 and is enjoying a four-fight winning run, including three wins via finish.
The form guide of these two men would suggest that it could be a long night for The Brute.
Rating: 5/10 Despite having a home crowd advantage, Crute will likely be on the wrong end of this one, killing the crowd atmosphere
Jake Matthews vs Francisco Prado
Another hometown hero returns to open up the main card of UFC 312. The Celtic Kid, Jake Matthews looks to go back-to-back for the first time since 2020 when he takes on Francisco Prado. The Argentinian is 1-2 in his UFC career, however, he entertains every time he makes the walk. Last time out, he dropped a decision to Daniel Zellhuber, however, earned fight of the night honours. Matthews picked up a good win against Phil Rowe, taking 15 minutes to complete his task.
The issue with this one is that it has no rankings implications whatsoever. Matthews hasn’t been able to put two wins together since 2020 and Prado is coming off a loss. The Aussie isn’t known for his finishing ability, however, is a hometown favourite.
Rating: 3/10 This one seems like giving an Australian a winnable fight in order to get the crowd pumped