

Former opponents Israel Adesanya and Robert Whittaker dubbed UFC middleweight champion Dricus Du Plessis as “the best sh-t fighter,”. ‘DDP’ is the perfect combination of strength, offensive mindset, and willpower. If this sounds like the introduction to John Wick, to be honest, that’s how good the South African fighter really is.
So, as UFC 312 draws near, all eyes are on the middleweight champion and Sean Strickland. While both fighters bring unique skills to the octagon, Dricus Du Plessis is favored to retain his title. Why? Well, he has defeated him in the past. But the decision back then was what many considered a controversial one. So here are three key reasons why ‘Stillknocks’ will defeat Strickland again at UFC 312.
‘DDP’ has a wider arsenal of moves that blends well with his unique fighting style
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Dricus Du Plessis’ fighting technique is among the most unique in the middleweight division. Du Plessis has created a style of his own by making an unconventional mix of striking and grappling. This allowed him to defeat former champions Israel Adesanya and Robert Whittaker. His combination of K-1 kickboxing and a solid submission game separates him from Strickland, whose approach is more focused on hitting.
“He’s the best shit fighter in the world!” – Israel Adesanya and Robert Whittaker bonding over their confusion for Dricus Du Plessis’ mad fight style 😂 pic.twitter.com/FhxK5yJgW6
— Oscar Willis (@oscarswillis) January 17, 2025
Despite being mocked by Israel Adesanya and Robert Whittaker for his unconventional approach inside the Octagon, Dricus Du Plessis has proved time and again that his unique style somehow works for him. So, this unorthodox concoction will surely give him an edge over ‘Tarzan’ by making him as unpredictable as possible.
Weight advantage over Strickland
Another major factor in Dricus Du Plessis’s favor is the weight difference between the two fighters. Outside of fight camp, Sean Strickland weighs 223 pounds, requiring him to lose roughly 40 pounds to meet the middleweight limit. This is an enormous weight cut that could have a major impact on Strickland’s performance, as it can reduce endurance during a fight. On the other hand, ‘DDP’ is used to competing at middleweight with no drastic cuts. He keeps a consistent weight, which allows him to concentrate more on his strategy and conditioning. Sean Strickland’s troubles with weight cuts may offer ‘Stillknocks’ an advantage in strength and stamina, increasing the likelihood of the South African retaining his title.
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Du Plessis has a history of knocking out strikers
Dricus Du Plessis has fought and defeated some of MMA’s best strikers, including the aforementioned Israel Adesanya and Robert Whittaker. His knack for knocking out elite strikers is well-known in the realm of mixed martial arts by now. So, ‘Tarzan,’ with his blitzing hands and relentless punching, will not be an exception. Du Plessis has proved time and again that he can defeat a fighter like Adesanya, who is regarded as one of the best strikers in the UFC. As a result, Sean Strickland too seems like a fighter the South African can easily go one-on-one against.
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With nine KO/TKO victories, Du Plessis possesses striking power that Strickland has yet to face at this level. ‘Stillknocks’ can land big strikes and follow through on submissions, which can be a genuine threat to ‘Tarzan,’. This could put him on his toes at all times to keep him guessing as to what the South African will do next. But what do you think? Will the American fighter be able to defeat Dricus Du Plessis? Let us know in the comments.
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Debate
Can Strickland handle Du Plessis' unpredictable style, or will 'Stillknocks' reign supreme again?
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What’s your perspective on:
Can Strickland handle Du Plessis' unpredictable style, or will 'Stillknocks' reign supreme again?
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