UFC 312: Full Fight Recap, Knockouts, and What’s Next in 2025
UFC 312 delivered explosive fights, dominant champions, and shocking knockouts. Read the full recap and what’s next for the UFC in 2025.
UFC 312 Brings Non-Stop Action
UFC 312 was one of the most thrilling fight nights of 2025, featuring two title fights, a breakout heavyweight knockout, and battles that left fans on the edge of their seats.
Held on February 8, 2025, at Qudos Bank Arena in Sydney, Australia, the event saw Dricus Du Plessis defend his middleweight title, Zhang Weili remain the queen of strawweight, and Tallison Teixeira announce himself with a brutal first-round KO.
Here’s a complete breakdown of every major fight, the biggest moments, and what’s next for the UFC.
https://www.youtube.com/live/UTXBsC2Evbg?si=DVjDhOcQz0NstUnx
Main Event: Dricus Du Plessis vs. Sean Strickland 2 – A Statement Win
The middleweight championship rematch between Dricus Du Plessis and Sean Strickland was one of the most anticipated fights of the night.
After a close first fight in January 2024, Strickland entered UFC 312 looking for revenge. However, Du Plessis dominated from start to finish.
Key Moments:
. Round 4: Du Plessis landed a powerful right hand that broke Strickland’s nose.
. Strickland struggled to keep up with Du Plessis’ pace and striking accuracy.
. Unanimous Decision Victory: 50-45, 50-45, 49-46 in favor of Du Plessis.
What’s next for Du Plessis? After his dominant win, he called out Khamzat Chimaev, setting up a potential title fight that could be one of the biggest of 2025.
Zhang Weili vs. Tatiana Suarez – The Champ Retains Her Throne
The co-main event saw women’s strawweight champion Zhang Weili defend her belt against Tatiana Suarez, who entered the fight undefeated.
Suarez, known for her elite wrestling, struggled to take Zhang down. The champion used excellent striking and takedown defense to keep control for most of the fight.
Key Moments:
. Zhang landed the most significant strikes, keeping Suarez on the defensive.
. Suarez’s wrestling was neutralized, preventing her from controlling the fight.
. Unanimous Decision Victory: 49-46, 49-46, 49-45 in favor of Zhang.
With this win, Zhang remains the dominant force in the strawweight division and could see new challengers emerge in 2025.
Undercard Highlights – Rising Stars and Stunning Knockouts
Tallison Teixeira
’s UFC Debut Ends in a 30-Second Knockout
One of the night’s biggest shocks came when Brazilian heavyweight Tallison Teixeira stepped into the Octagon for his debut.
Key Moment:
. 30 seconds into Round 1, Teixeira landed a devastating elbow, knocking out Justin Tafa in highlight-reel fashion.
With this statement win, Teixeira is now a name to watch in the heavyweight division.
Jimmy Crute vs. Rodolfo Bellato – A Fight That Needs a Rematch
This light heavyweight battle ended in a majority draw, with both fighters having their moments.
. Judges’ Scores: 28-28, 28-28, 29-27 (Crute)
With neither fighter securing a win, the UFC might book a rematch soon to settle the score.
Jake Matthews Uses Experience to Outclass Francisco Prado
Welterweight veteran Jake Matthews put on a clinic against Francisco Prado, using a smart mix of striking and grappling.
Unanimous Decision Victory: Matthews dominated all three rounds.
His well-rounded performance keeps him in the mix for bigger fights in 2025.
Unexpected Octagon-Side Appearance – Adesanya and Pereira Together?
One of the biggest surprises of the night wasn’t a fight—it was who was watching.
Former rivals Alex Pereira and Israel Adesanya were spotted together at UFC 312.
Fans immediately started speculating:
. Are they training together?
. Could we see another fight between them?
While nothing is official, their presence set the internet on fire with rumors.
What’s Next After UFC 312?
With the dust settling, here’s what could be next for the UFC:
. Dricus Du Plessis vs. Khamzat Chimaev – A middleweight title fight in the making?
. Will Tatiana Suarez get another title shot, or does she need a bounce-back fight?
. Can Tallison Teixeira keep his knockout streak going in the UFC?
The road ahead looks exciting, and fight fans have plenty to look forward to in 2025.
Final Thoughts: UFC 312 Delivered the Action Fans Craved
From dominant champions defending their belts to explosive debuts, UFC 312 proved why the sport continues to grow. Dricus Du Plessis and Zhang Weili stood tall, while new stars like Tallison Teixeira stole the show.
As the UFC looks toward its next major events, one thing is certain—the action isn’t slowing down anytime soon.