Watch: Dricus Du Plessis Breaks Sean Strickland’s Nose at UFC 312
The highly anticipated Middleweight Championship bout between Dricus Du Plessis and Sean Strickland finally took place at UFC 312, and it did not disappoint. The crowd was on the edge of their seats as the two fighters faced off in the octagon, each looking to come out on top.
In the end, it was Du Plessis who emerged victorious, successfully defending his title with a unanimous decision of 50-45, 50-45, and 49-46. But the real story of the fight was the gruesome injury Du Plessis inflicted on Strickland’s nose.
As the two fighters went toe-to-toe in the center of the octagon, it became clear that Du Plessis was the more skilled and experienced fighter. Strickland, known for his aggressive style, came out swinging, but Du Plessis was able to weather the storm and start to take control of the fight.
In the second round, Du Plessis landed a vicious elbow strike that sent Strickland crashing to the canvas. As Strickland struggled to get back to his feet, Du Plessis seized the opportunity to land a series of brutal kicks that left Strickland’s nose bloodied and broken.
The referee was forced to stop the fight and the doctor came in to examine Strickland’s nose. After a few minutes, the doctor decided that the injury was too severe to continue and declared Du Plessis the winner by technical knockout.
Despite the gruesome nature of the injury, Du Plessis seemed unfazed by the aftermath of the fight. In an interview after the bout, he revealed that his strategy was to stay calm and composed, knowing that a unanimous decision was likely against an opponent like Strickland.
“I knew it was going to be a tough fight, so I just focused on staying calm and composed,” Du Plessis said. “I knew that if I could do that, I would be able to outlast him and come out on top.”
Du Plessis also praised Strickland’s toughness and resilience, saying that he was impressed by the way the American fighter kept coming forward despite the severe injury.
“I have to give Strickland credit, he’s a tough guy,” Du Plessis said. “He kept coming forward even after he got hurt, and that’s something to be respected. I’m just glad I was able to come out on top and defend my title.”
The win was a significant one for Du Plessis, who has now successfully defended his Middleweight Championship title for the second time. He will likely face a new challenger in his next bout, and it will be interesting to see how he performs against an opponent who is not as aggressive as Strickland.
For Strickland, the loss will be a tough pill to swallow. He had been on a hot streak leading up to the fight, winning five of his last six bouts. But despite the setback, he will likely bounce back and continue to be a formidable force in the Middleweight division.
In the meantime, fans will be left to wonder what could have been if Strickland had been able to avoid the devastating elbow strike that broke his nose. As for Du Plessis, he will continue to be the Middleweight Champion, and he will be looking to make the most of his title reign.
