The narrative coming out of UFC 312 isn’t about controversial decisions or lucky punches; it’s about the undeniable supremacy of two champions who left their challengers battered and humbled. Dricus Du Plessis and Zhang Weili didn’t just win – they dominated in ways that force us to reassess their standing in their respective divisions and potentially in pound-for-pound conversations.
Let’s break down what made these performances special and what they mean for the middleweight and strawweight landscapes going forward.
Middleweight supremacy
Dricus “Stillknocks” Du Plessis silenced every critic with a masterclass against Sean Strickland that was worlds apart from their first razor-thin encounter. The judges’ scorecards (50-45, 50-45, 49-46) told the story of a one-sided beatdown that left no room for debate.
What impressed me most was Du Plessis’s tactical approach. He systematically broke down Strickland with low kicks early, compromising the former champion’s mobility before unleashing that fight-altering right hand in the fourth round that turned Strickland’s nose into what fighters call a “faucet.” The South African’s pressure was relentless but calculated – he never overextended or gave Strickland counter opportunities.
Strickland, ever the honest warrior, acknowledged the beating with his typical candor: “The Dutchman is a bad motherf***er, he kicked my ass fair and square, props to him.”
With potential challenges from Khamzat Chimaev and Nassourdine Imavov (fresh off KOing Adesanya last week), Du Plessis isn’t just collecting scalps – he’s building a legacy that could eventually lead to a champion vs. champion superfight with Alex Pereira.
Strawweight dynasty
If Du Plessis was impressive, Zhang Weili was nothing short of spectacular against an opponent many considered her kryptonite. Facing undefeated wrestling specialist Tatiana Suarez as the betting underdog, Zhang delivered what might be the defining performance of her career.
The technical brilliance was evident in the numbers: Zhang stuffed 14 of 15 takedown attempts from one of the division’s most dominant grapplers. But what truly separated this performance was how Zhang turned the tables, securing her own takedown in round four and threatening submissions against a renowned submission artist.
On the feet, Zhang’s speed advantage was glaring. Her combinations flowed with precision while maintaining perfect distance management, never giving Suarez the clinch opportunities she desperately needed. The striking disparity was shocking – Zhang outlanded Suarez 251 to 61 over five rounds.
This win cements Zhang as not just the strawweight GOAT, but potentially places her in the pantheon of all-time greats in women’s MMA alongside names like Nunes, Shevchenko, Cyborg, and Rousey.
The aftermath
The dominance displayed at UFC 312 creates interesting ripple effects throughout the UFC. For Du Plessis, the question isn’t if he’s championship caliber, but rather how high his ceiling might be. With his combination of pressure fighting, wrestling pedigree, and improving striking technique, he presents a unique challenge for anyone at 185 pounds.
For Zhang, having essentially cleaned out the strawweight division, talks of a superfight with flyweight queen Valentina Shevchenko gain momentum. This kind of champion vs. champion showdown would establish her legacy beyond her current division boundaries.
The event also heightens anticipation for another dominant former champion’s potential return and a potential BMF trilogy that could reshape multiple divisions.
What UFC 312 ultimately proved is that we’re witnessing the birth of two potential long-term champions who are still improving. In an era where belts change hands with unprecedented frequency, Du Plessis and Zhang might just be the anomalies who define their divisions for years to come.
