In an exciting UFC event this weekend, fans can look forward to two title fights that promise to deliver intense action. Middleweight champion Dricus Du Plessis will face off against Sean Strickland in the main event, while in the co-main event, strawweight champion Zhang Weili will defend her title against Tatiana Suarez. The event will take place at the Qudos Bank Arena in Sydney on Saturday, with the main card starting at 10 p.m. ET on ESPN+ PPV.
Du Plessis, currently ranked tied for No. 9 in ESPN’s pound-for-pound rankings, is undefeated inside the Octagon and last defended his title against former champion Israel Adesanya at UFC 305 in August. Strickland, ESPN’s No. 2-ranked middleweight, is a former champion of the division who lost the belt to Du Plessis in their last encounter.
Veteran MMA coach and ESPN analyst Din Thomas provided insights into the main and co-main events. Thomas highlighted the key strategies for both Du Plessis and Strickland to secure victory in their rematch, emphasizing the importance of pressure, pace, and grappling skills. Thomas also weighed in on Zhang Weili vs. Tatiana Suarez, pointing out the crucial aspects of footwork, takedowns, and power that could determine the outcome of the fight.
In terms of betting analysis, ESPN’s betting expert Ian Parker recommended betting on the over 4.5 rounds for the Du Plessis vs. Strickland fight, anticipating a closely contested battle that could go the distance. For the Zhang vs. Suarez matchup, Parker favored Suarez to win based on her wrestling skills and ability to exploit Zhang’s weaknesses, particularly her takedown defense.
Aside from the title fights, Parker also provided insights into other bouts on the card, highlighting potential bets for the featherweight and women’s flyweight matchups. For the featherweight bout between Jack Jenkins and Gabriel Santos, Parker suggested betting on over 2.5 rounds due to the fighters’ durability and tactical approaches. In the women’s flyweight fight between Wang Cong and Bruna Brasil, Parker favored Brasil to win at attractive odds, citing her experience, grappling proficiency, and strong team support.
With a stacked fight card and high-stakes title matchups, UFC 312 promises to be a thrilling event for MMA fans around the world. Tune in to witness the intense action and see who emerges victorious in these highly anticipated bouts.