UFC 312 Preview Discussion: Who Would the UFC Prefer as the Middleweight Champion — Dricus du Plessis or Sean Strickland?

The UFC’s second pay-per-view event of 2025 may not be the most exciting, but it does feature two major title fights. One of those is a middleweight rematch between Dricus du Plessis and Sean Strickland, while the other sees Zhang Weili defend her title against Tatiana Suarez in what promises to be her toughest challenge yet. Ahead of the event, Chuck Mindenhall and Petesy Carroll of Uncrowned weigh in on several key questions.

• Strickland vs. du Plessis Rematch:

• Petesy: Du Plessis has shown the ability to push through exhaustion and keep going, while Strickland was the closest to defeating him in their first encounter. Strickland should likely stick to his initial approach but expect du Plessis to change the dynamics with his grappling.
• Chuck: Strickland’s struggles in the first fight due to a significant cut impacted the fight’s outcome. Strickland’s volume striking was effective, but du Plessis’ bigger shots gave him the edge. Strickland should aim to stay in front of du Plessis, avoiding takedowns and conserving energy for later rounds.

• Who Would UFC Prefer as Middleweight Champion?

• Chuck: Strickland’s controversial persona likely brings broader appeal, and his rivalry with Khamzat Chimaev could be a major UFC storyline. While du Plessis holds strong appeal in Africa, Strickland’s brashness might be what the UFC is looking for.
• Petesy: Du Plessis is crucial for UFC’s African expansion, while Strickland embodies a controversial figure that aligns with UFC’s image in 2025, especially considering Dana White’s stance on free speech.

• Who Should Fight for the Title Next: Khamzat Chimaev or Nassourdine Imavov?

• Petesy: Chimaev is the obvious choice, given his potential and previous hype, though his travel restrictions have delayed his rise. If those issues are resolved, he’s the clear top contender. Imavov could be a challenger if Chimaev weren’t in the mix.
• Chuck: Chimaev is the future of the division, with his ruthless fighting style and growing fanbase. If his travel issues are cleared up, he could be the one to usher in the “Borz Era” in the middleweight division.

• Tatiana Suarez’s Title Shot:

• Chuck: Suarez has had a long, tough journey to this point, but she’s finally here. Although Zhang Weili will be a tough challenge, Suarez has what it takes to become the champion.
• Petesy: Despite concerns over her past injuries, Suarez has made it to her title shot, and I believe she’ll win the belt.

• Low-Key Fights to Watch at UFC 312:

• Petesy: Outside of the title bouts, there’s not much on this card. However, Aleksandre Topuria’s debut and Wang Cong’s fight are intriguing. I’m also excited to see if Jake Matthews, fighting in his home country of Australia, can shine in his matchup with Francisco Prado.
• Chuck: I’m looking forward to Jake Matthews, who’s been fighting for years but is still only 30. His consistency makes him a fighter to watch, especially in front of his home crowd.