Dricus du Plessis will look for the knockout from the start

Ongama Gcwabe

DRICUS du Plessis has beaten a number of legends of the middleweight division in the UFC – including one of the most diverse strikers the sport has ever seen in Israel Adesanya and ‘The Reaper’ himself, Robert Whittaker.

On Sunday, the 31-year-old has yet another opportunity to further extend his legacy as he faces former champion Sean Strickland at the Qudos Bank Arena in Sydney.

Should Du Plessis defend his title, he would have done so for the second consecutive time – and will take his unbeaten streak in the UFC to nine fights and five years unbeaten in the promotion.

With his legacy on the line, the South African couched in front of the media on Thursday that he will be looking for a finish right from the start of the fight on Sunday.

Having gone the whole five rounds in his first fight against Strickland a year ago, the 31-year-old admitted that it won’t be an easy fight. “After a first fight like that, (to predict) the method of victory is very hard.

Sean Strickland: “Dricus fights like a r*tard on a short bus.”

Dricus du Plessis: “I fight like someone on a short bus but you look like the driver… you’re not allowed near kids with that look anymore.” 😭😭#UFC312 #UFC #MMApic.twitter.com/JokmQiWShO

— Championship Rounds (@ChampRDS) February 6, 2025

“I’m going out there looking for that finish from the first bell,” said Du Plessis.

“And if it has to go to the last bell, I’ll be looking for that knockout from the word go to the end of that fight.”

Before the Strickland fight was announced, Chechnya fighter Khamzat Chimaev was another option for Du Plessis’ second title defence.

However, the UFC went ahead with Strickland, who is currently the No.1-ranked middleweight contender.

Nonetheless, Du Plessis aired that he would have preferred to fight Chimaev instead of Strickland – and who can blame him?

After all, there are very few fight fans worldwide interested in watching a second fight between Du Plessis and Strickland as the latter’s fight style is rated one of the most boring in the UFC.

As a result, despite there being two title bouts in the upcoming UFC 312 main card – set to start at 5am SA time on Sunday – it still draws very little excitement despite it being the second international fight week of the year.

However, as the No.1-ranked contender, American Strickland has rightfully earned the rematch.

Du Plessis, though, revealed that he still would have preferred to fight the undefeated Chimaev, whose fight style always sets arenas alight.

“The rematch was the next one up,” Du Plessis told the media on Thursday. “I would have preferred that Khamzat (Chimaev) fight, but he (Strickland) was the one – and here we are.”

Dricus Du Plessis and Sean Strickland: READY to run it back for the middleweight title 🏆#UFC312 | Saturday, 10 PM ET | ESPN+ PPV 🍿 https://t.co/RHHNzqV8MI

(🎥: @ufc) pic.twitter.com/AiOqh1uYSz

— SportsCenter (@SportsCenter) February 7, 2025

Following the first bout between Du Plessis and Strickland, it seems that there is now mutual respect between the two fighters. Strickland showed his respect for the current champion, and promised another fight-round war at the Qudos Bank Arena in Sydney on Sunday.

“That’s all something we could strive to do, to go out there and want to die,” Strickland lauded Du Plessis’ fight style. “Congratulations Dricus for fighting tough.”

Du Plessis also acknowledged Strickland’s toughness, having gone the distance against the American in Toronto last year.

“The man is at least willing to throw down. I got to respect that,” said Du Plessis. “You can expect a war once again, absolutely. Two guys trying to kill each other.”