Sports
Strickland Claims Superior Striking Ahead of UFC 312 Rematch
SYDNEY, Australia — Former UFC middleweight champion Sean Strickland is confident his striking skills surpass those of current champion Dricus du Plessis, particularly when comparing their performances against Israel Adesanya. Strickland, known for his unorthodox but effective style, will face du Plessis in a highly anticipated rematch at UFC 312 on February 8 at Qudos Bank Arena.
Strickland (29-6 MMA, 16-6 UFC) lost his title to du Plessis (22-2 MMA, 8-0 UFC) in a controversial split decision in 2024. The fight was closely contested, with media scorecards nearly evenly split and many fans believing Strickland had done enough to win. Strickland has since maintained that he was robbed of victory and plans to prove his superiority in the rematch.
“I think my striking’s lightyears better than his,” Strickland said during the UFC 312 Countdown show. “Izzy [Adesanya] was beating him in striking; I dogwalked Izzy.” Strickland famously dominated Adesanya in their 2023 bout, using his sharp jab and relentless pressure to secure a unanimous decision victory.
Du Plessis, however, has proven to be a resilient and unpredictable opponent. Strickland acknowledged the South African‘s tenacity but dismissed his technical skills. “The thing about Dricus is he does nothing right, but it always works out,” Strickland remarked. “He’s a wrecking ball. I’m a scalpel.”
The rematch carries significant stakes for both fighters. Strickland is determined to reclaim the middleweight title, while du Plessis aims to solidify his reign as champion. The event will be available on pay-per-view, ESPN2, and ESPN+.
Strickland’s confidence remains unshaken despite the contentious nature of their first fight. “I think I was better last time. I think I’m better this time,” he told MMA Junkie. “Your face will look the exact same after, if not worse.”
While Strickland insists the rivalry isn’t personal, he believes external factors influenced the judges’ decision in their initial bout. “I feel like more I got robbed,” he said. “That headbutt changed things. It changed the optics, the dynamics.”
Fans and analysts alike are eager to see how the rematch unfolds, with both fighters bringing distinct styles and high stakes to the octagon.