Title: UFC 312 Preview: Du Plessis vs. Strickland 2 - Complete Fight Card Breakdown
The eagerly anticipated UFC pay-per-view event on the 2025 schedule falls on February 8. This fight night, designated as UFC 313, will host a thrilling middleweight title rematch between the current champion, Dricus du Plessis, and Sean Strickland, the man he dethroned in January 2024. In the co-main event, Zhang Weili, the reigning UFC women's strawweight titleholder, squares off against Tatiana Suarez.
Let's delve deeper into the betting odds for the full UFC 313 fight card.
Headlining Titans Clash Again: Du Plessis vs. Strickland 2
Prominent contenders on the UFC circuit, Dricus du Plessis (22-2) and Sean Strickland (29-6) are locked in a fierce rematch. This bout marks an opportunity for each to demonstrate his growth and strategy.
As the successor of the middleweight throne, Du Plessis has gained acclaim for his impressive 10-fight win streak, eight of which have been accomplished within the UFC. In his run with the promotion, he boasts a record of 8-0, culminating in six finishes and four profitable nights. Du Plessis joined the UFC in October 2020 and made his mark with his striking abilities and powerful ground game.
Gracefully withstanding the test of time as a UFC fighter since March 2014, Strickland boasts an overall record of 29-6. Though he is not a stranger to defeat, his mastery of the octagon is exemplified by his 16-6 record within the Ultimate Fighting Championship, featuring four finish victories and even more impressive bonuses.
The memorable first meeting between these two titans occurred at UFC 297 in January 2024. This unforgettable encounter received the "Fight of the Night" accolade, showcasing their jiu-jitsu, striking, and unrelenting perseverance.
Since that thrilling encounter, Du Plessis maintained an unyielding stride. His most significant achievement came with a submission victory over former UFC middleweight champion Israel Adesanya in August 2024. Strickland, aiming to reclaim his lost title, bounced back with a hard-fought victory against Paulo Costa a few months later via split decision.
Co-Main Event: Zhang Weili vs. Tatiana Suarez
Dual champions and fierce opponents from different eras, Zhang Weili (25-3) and Tatiana Suarez (10-0), are set to face-off in the exciting co-main event.
Deemed the best in the UFC's strawweight division, Suarez climbed her way to the pinnacle, rampaging through opponents as she tamed her competition in just her fourth professional MMA contest. Her ground game has proven unstoppable, as she bested Amanda Cooper via submission to clinch the title in season 23 of "The Ultimate Fighter."
Unfortunately, Suarez's athletic career has been marred by injuries, limiting her engagement in the octagon to only seven outings. After her impressive victory, she went through a lingering hiatus, returning to the competitive ring in February 2023. In this bout, she secured a submission victory over Montana De La Rosa, and followed it up with another victory over former champion Jessica Andrade in August 2023.
However, Suarez found herself plagued by injury once more in December 2023. Despite her best efforts to prepare for her upcoming bout against Amanda Lemos at UFC 298, she withdrew from the event due to health concerns.
Zhang Weili, a formidable adversary, circles back for her second stint with the UFC's strawweight belt, aiming to reclaim the gold she initially snatched in August 2019. After a successful title defense against Joanna Jedrzejczyk in March 2020, her reign was ultimately overtaken by Rose Namajunas in a thrilling blowout at UFC 261 in April 2021. But Weili remained undeterred, regaining her footing with a remarkable knockout victory over Jedrzejczyk in June 2022.
Fueled by passion and an unwavering will, Weili kept her sights firmly on the title, directly challenging Namajunas once more. Despite losing by split decision, she proved her resilience and grit by claiming victory in their rematch in November 2021.
With a brave determination and undying spirit, Weili continues her triumphant march towards UFC glory. She successfully defended her title twice, first against Amanda Lemos in August 2023, and most recently against Yan Xiaonan in late 2023 at UFC 300.
UFC 313, positioned for a February 8 debut, will gather spectators across the globe to witness the awe-inspiring encounters of these skilled athletes. In these groundbreaking title fights, fans will witness the convergence of skill, technique, and nerve-wracking tension that will undoubtedly leave a lasting impact on the colossal cosmopolis of martial arts.
Bringing the heat with their dedication, skills, and desire to etch their names onto the annals of MMA history, these titans endeavor to carve their own path to legendary status within the UFC.
- The UFC 313 betting trends indicate that Dricus du Plessis has been a popular choice among bettors due to his impressive 10-fight win streak.
- Sean Strickland, aiming to reclaim his lost title, has also been attracting attention in UFC betting, considering his impressive record within the UFC and the unforgettable "Fight of the Night" against Du Plessis.
- UFC 313 betting odds for the women's strawweight title match between Zhang Weili and Tatiana Suarez are closely watched by fans and bettors alike, considering Weili's recent title defenses and Suarez's undefeated record within the UFC.
- In the realm of UFC betting, the odds for the co-main event between Zhang Weili and Tatiana Suarez may shift as more information becomes available about Suarez's injury status and recovery progress.
