UFC 312: The Biggest Winners & Losers (And What's Next?)

UFC 312: Breaking Down the Biggest Winners and Losers and What's Next for Them

UFC 312 in Sydney, Australia, delivered spectacular action, but it also left fans with big questions about the future of several fighters. Let’s break down the biggest winners and losers from the event and what should be next for them.

Biggest Winners

1. Dricus Du Plessis (Middleweight Champion) Du Plessis made it look easy in his rematch against Sean Strickland, defending his middleweight title in dominant fashion. Despite Strickland’s toughness, Du Plessis’ relentless pressure and power were too much for the former champion. He secured a unanimous decision victory (50-45, 50-45, 49-46), breaking Strickland’s nose in the fourth round with a brutal right hand.

What’s next? The next fight for Du Plessis should be a showdown with Khamzat Chimaev. Chimaev has long been expected to challenge for a title, and after Du Plessis’ impressive reign, this matchup feels like the right moment for both men. The anticipation for this fight is palpable, and it could headline a major card like International Fight Week this summer. If Du Plessis overcomes Chimaev, a move up to light heavyweight might be on the horizon, where he could face the likes of Alex Pereira or Magomed Ankalaev for the 205-pound title.

2. Weili Zhang (Strawweight Champion) Zhang reaffirmed her dominance at 115 pounds, easily defending her title against Tatiana Suarez. Suarez, who was hyped as a potential challenger, couldn’t handle Zhang’s superior striking and pace. After Suarez secured the takedown over Zhang in the first round, the champ turned up the heat throughout the bout, landing 232 strikes to just 63 from Suarez.

What’s next? The logical next step for Zhang is to move up to flyweight and face the winner of the upcoming showdown between Valentina Shevchenko and Manon Fiorot. A fight between Zhang and Shevchenko has long been a dream match for fans, and with both fighters dominating their respective divisions, this match is likely the next big thing in women’s MMA.

3. Tallison Teixeira (Heavyweight) Teixeira stunned fans with a first-round knockout of Justin Tafa, marking his arrival in the UFC with an exclamation point. His perfect 8-0 record earned him a Performance of the Night bonus, and he now has momentum in the UFC’s heavyweight division.

What’s next? Teixeira has quickly positioned himself for a ranking in the heavyweight division. Given the current lack of depth in the division, he should be matched with a top-15 opponent, potentially facing off against someone like Don’Tale Mayes or Jhonata Diniz.

Biggest Losers

1. Sean Strickland (Middleweight) Strickland’s return to title contention was a disappointment as he failed to match Du Plessis’ pace and aggression. Although he showed his typical toughness, the striking and pressure from Du Plessis were overwhelming. This loss pushes Strickland further away from another middleweight title shot for the time being.

What’s next? The next logical step for Sean Strickland is a showdown with Bo Nickal. With Strickland coming off a tough loss to Dricus Du Plessis at UFC 312, a fresh challenge against the highly touted prospect Nickal would provide both fighters with an opportunity to solidify their standing in the middleweight division. Nickal, known for his wrestling and rapid rise in the UFC, needs a test against a seasoned veteran like Strickland to prove he's truly ready for the elite. For Strickland, this fight offers a chance to bounce back, showing that he’s still a force to be reckoned with in the title picture. The matchup would bring together Strickland’s gritty, stand-up style against Nickal’s wrestling prowess, creating a dynamic and exciting clash with significant implications for the future of the middleweight division.

2. Tatiana Suarez (Strawweight) Suarez had been touted as a future champion, but her performance against Zhang exposed the gaps in her game. Although she displayed resilience, Suarez was outclassed in every aspect of the fight, leading to a unanimous decision loss. It’s not the end of the road for Suarez, but this defeat will surely sting for a while.

What’s next? Suarez should take on Mackenzie Dern, a fellow grappler who poses a unique challenge. Suarez will need to refine her striking and wrestling to remain a top contender, but this fight could be a great opportunity to reassert herself in the strawweight rankings. A win would set up another chance at a title shot down the road, while a loss would likely mean moving further down the rankings.

Other Notable Performances

- Jimmy Crute vs. Rodolfo Bellato (Light Heavyweight) Crute’s majority draw with Bellato was a tough result for both men. Crute was seen as a rising contender but failed to make a statement here. A rematch might be on the cards if both fighters are interested in another shot at proving their worth.

- Jake Matthews (Welterweight) Matthews had a dominant win against Francisco Prado, earning a unanimous decision. Matthews remains a steady presence in the welterweight division, though he’ll need to string together some big wins to climb the rankings.

- Gabriel Santos (Featherweight) Santos scored an impressive submission win over Jack Jenkins, solidifying himself as a prospect to watch in the featherweight division.

Looking Ahead to UFC 313 and Beyond

As the UFC gears up for more exciting matchups, UFC 312 has set the stage for some thrilling potential matchups. The rising stars in the heavyweight, middleweight, and strawweight divisions are all in position for their next moves, and fans can expect more high stakes as the year progresses. Whether it’s Du Plessis vs. Chimaev or Zhang stepping into a new challenge at flyweight, the future is looking bright for the UFC’s top contenders.

Stay tuned as we continue to break down the road ahead for the fighters of UFC 312!