Dricus Du Plessis vs. Sean Strickland 2/8/25 – The title fight between Dricus Du Plessis and Sean Strickland is the headline fight for the Qudos Bank Arena in Sydney Australia. This fight is scheduled to be for the UFC Middleweight Championship. This title fight is particularly interesting seeing as it will feature Du Plessis who is a powerhouse out of South Africa with a professional record of 22 wins and 2 losses. He will be facing the American veteran Sean Strickland who is more experienced and has a professional record of 29 wins and 6 losses. This fight depicts the prowess of the fighters as well as the state of the Middleweight division.
Dricus Du Plessis vs. Sean Strickland 2/8/25
| When: | Saturday, February 8, 2025 | Time: 10:00 PM ET |
|---|---|
| Where: | Qudos Bank Arena, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia |
| TV: | ESPN+ |
| Stream: | UFC Fight Pass |
At the moment, the odds show that Dricus Du Plessis is currently favored with a betting line of -165, meaning it is believed he currently holds a strong chance of defending his title effectively. In contrast, Sean Strickland’s odds as the underdog stand at +140, suggesting that this should be a closely contested battle with chances of a surprise victory which would be very profitable. These odds are not purely based on their latest activities but their respective styles and weights as well.
Dricus Du Plessis vs. Sean Strickland 2/8/25 Odds
| Fighter | Odds | Fighter | Odds |
|---|---|---|---|
| Dricus Du Plessis | -165 | Sean Strickland | +140 |
Main Card
Dricus Du Plessis
Dricus Du Plessis, also known as “Stillknocks”, has an impressive reputation in the field of combat sports. He has finished 22 fights and lost only 2 of them. His style of fighting is aggressive, which is supported by his statistics—out of 15 minutes he spends in a fight, he obtains on average 6.18 significant strikes with an accuracy of 49%. His defense is solid as well. He manages to block 54% of the strikes aimed at him. Du Plessis has a solid standing in grappling, securing an average of 3.04 takedowns every 15 minutes and successfully completing 50% of those. He also throws an average of 0.9 submissions every 15 minutes and has a 50% success ratio for both. In his latest fight, he defeated Adesanya, which only goes to show that his skills can withstand the best.
Sean Strickland
Sean Strickland steps into the Octagon, looking to keep alive his impressive record of 29 wins and 6 losses. He is well known for his striking technique which is almost at par with Du Plessis’, at 6.01 landed strikes per minute and absorbing 4.48, all while boasting a high percentage of defended strikes at 61%. In grappling, Strickland is less effective, but he holds a takedown defense rating of 77%. His striking accuracy on his attempts at takedowns is 64% which shows he is very selective in his attempts. His most recent victory over Paulo Costa has shown he can get the job done under pressure and has the potential to shift the momentum of the contest in fights he’s going into as an underdog.
Dricus Du Plessis vs. Sean Strickland 2/8/25 Betting Numbers
| Record | 22-2-0 | 29-6-0 |
| Last Fight | Win | Win |
| Country | South Africa | USA |
| Height | 6’0″ | 6′ 1″ |
| Weight (lbs) | 185 | 185 |
| Reach (in) | 76″ | 76″ |
| Win by KO/TKO | 41% | 38% |
| Win by Submission | 50% | 14% |
| Decisions | 9% | 48% |
| Strikes landed per minute | 6.18 | 6.01 |
| Striking accuracy | 49% | 42% |
| Striking absorbed per minute | 4.85 | 4.48 |
| Striking defense | 54% | 61% |
| Takedown average | 3.04 | 0.78 |
| Takedown accuracy | 50% | 64% |
| Takedown defense | 50% | 77% |
| Submission average | 0.9 | 0.2 |
Dricus Du Plessis vs. Sean Strickland Summary
Dricus Du Plessis and Sean Strickland’s upcoming UFC 312 Middleweight Title fight is expected to be very fierce considering that both fighters have relatively close height, reach, and striking skills. With Du Plessis seemingly having the edge over the two with a better grappling skill set and more aggressive style of striking, Strickland does have the upper hand in terms of experience and defensive skill which can allow him to take control of any opportunity he comes across when Du Plessis makes a mistake.
This fight will be a classic representation of the ‘power vs. precision or youth vs. experience,’ narrative of MMA. Fans can expect an extremely high level of strategy and heart in determining whether Du Plessis is able to defend his title, or if Strickland will emerge victorious. With all of the factors taken into account, it is very likely that Dricus Du Plessis will barely have the edge needed to retain his title, but anything can happen in the octagon. Because of the wide-reaching implications, fight fans will want to mark this down on their calendars and bet on UFC 312.
Hilbert Mayer
Sports Writer
Hilbert Mayer is a professional sports writer, betting analyst, and content strategist with over 15 years of experience in the sports industry. Before focusing on sports betting analysis and handicapping, Hilbert worked as a sports writer for various news outlets, covering everything from game recaps to in-depth matchup features. Today, he specializes in MLB, NFL, March Madness, and UFC betting, combining his journalistic background with deep statistical expertise and real-world betting insights. His proven track record, sharp reads, and ability to break down complex matchups make him a trusted voice among both casual bettors and seasoned sharps.
Published on: February 7, 2025
Last updated: March 21, 2025