An Analysis of UFC 312 Matchup: Du Plessis vs. Strickland 2 – Odds, Predictions, and Picks

• UFC Fight Night 312 odds are out
• Middleweights Dricus Du Plessis and Sean Strickland go to war for a second time in the main event
• Check out all the UFC Fight Night 312 odds and our best bets, below

UFC 312 gets underway from Qudos Bank Arena in Sydney, Australia on Saturday, February 9, 2025. A fascinating middleweight title rematch between Dricus Du Plessis and Sean Strickland headlines the event. Fight fans around the globe are blessed with a dual-title pay-per-view the night before Super Bowl 59, as Weili Zhang puts her women’s strawweight belt on the line against Tatiana Suarez.

Find all the UFC 312: Du Plessis vs Strickland 2 odds and our best bets, below.

UFC 312: Du Plessis vs Strickland 2 Odds

The UFC Fight Night 312 odds have Melbourne native Jake Matthews as a -230 favorite over Francisco Prado, who’s a +190 underdog.

Odds as of February 6th, at DraftKings Sportsbook. Look for a Draftkings Sportsbook promo code for all your MMA betting action. 

Du Plessis vs Strickland 2 Prediction

Du Plessis’ controversial split decision victory in January of 2024 to win the middleweight championship looms large. The South African defended his title in August by choking out Israel Adesanya, and faces the American challenger yet again on Saturday.

Strickland defeated promising contender Paulo Costa in June in book the rematch. Known for his relentless pressure and durability, Strickland has been vocal about feeling robbed in their first bout, and will be out for blood in Sydney. Despite setting the record for most significant strikes landed in a middleweight title fight, Strickland fell to the champion. The American has cited the devastating cut above his eye that occurred in a clash of heads for his loss.

One thing’s for sure, the Las Vegas native will aggressively look to assert control in the octagon and push the pace at UFC 312. That being said, Du Plessis displayed impressive improvements to his striking game against a elite force in Adesanya in his last bout.

The champion will enter this middleweight championship fight brimming with confidence. Du Plessis punished Strickland in close quarters in their first bout, and will use that experience, and his expert timing to dominate proceedings at UFC 312.

Pick: Dricus Du Plessis by decision (+175)

Zhang vs Suarez Prediction

In the co-main event, Weili Zhang and Tatiana Suarez do battle for the women’s strawweight championship. Zhang has been the dominant force in the strawweight division, and will aim to defend her title for the third-straight time at UFC 312. Her elite striking and phenomenal accuracy keeps opponents’ off-balance.

However, Suarez is an elite wrestler who steamrolled her way to a title shot. Boasting a perfect 10-0 career record, with an impressive seven-fight win streak in the UFC, the Covina, California native destroyed former champ Jessica Andrade in her last bout. An impressive grappler, Suarez has five career submission victories. The challenger has won 15 straight bouts, and finishes each of her last two via guillotine choke.

This strawweight championship will likely come down to whether or not Zhang can keep the fight standing. If she does, her striking advantage will lead her to victory. At the same time, if Suarez can land early takedowns and wear Zhang down, she’ll have a great shot at capturing the belt. Ultimately, Suarez’s 18-month ring rust gives the champion the edge.

Pick: Weili Zhang to win (+100)

UFC 312 is set to feature an exciting rematch between Dricus Du Plessis and Sean Strickland in the middleweight division. The two fighters previously faced off in a highly competitive bout, with Du Plessis emerging victorious by way of a second-round knockout. Now, they are set to square off once again in what promises to be an action-packed showdown.

When looking at the odds for this matchup, Du Plessis comes in as the slight favorite with a -150 line, while Strickland is the underdog at +130. This indicates that oddsmakers believe Du Plessis has a slightly better chance of winning the fight, but Strickland is certainly not to be underestimated.

In terms of predictions, this rematch is expected to be just as closely contested as their first meeting. Du Plessis is known for his explosive striking and knockout power, while Strickland is a skilled grappler with a strong ground game. Both fighters have shown improvements in their skills since their last fight, so it’s difficult to predict a clear winner.

That being said, if Du Plessis can keep the fight standing and utilize his striking advantage, he has a good chance of securing another victory. On the other hand, if Strickland can take the fight to the ground and control the grappling exchanges, he could potentially come out on top.

As for picks, it ultimately comes down to personal preference and analysis of each fighter’s strengths and weaknesses. Some may lean towards Du Plessis based on his previous win and striking prowess, while others may favor Strickland’s grappling abilities and potential for a revenge victory.

In conclusion, the rematch between Dricus Du Plessis and Sean Strickland at UFC 312 is shaping up to be a thrilling matchup with both fighters hungry for a win. With the odds close and predictions split, this fight has all the makings of a must-watch event for MMA fans. It will be interesting to see how it all unfolds on fight night.