Dricus du Plessis defeated Sean Strickland by unanimous decision at UFC 312 on February 8, 2025, in Sydney, Australia, to reclaim the UFC middleweight championship. The fight was a rematch of their January 2024 bout, which du Plessis also won by split decision.
Du Plessis, a South African fighter, improved his professional record to 22-2 with the victory. He had previously lost the title to Strickland in a controversial decision at UFC 297 in January 2024, but the rematch confirmed his dominance in the division.
In the post-fight interview, du Plessis said, 'I guess I'm champion again,' referencing the MMA math that led to the rematch. The win solidified his status as a two-time conqueror of Strickland.
