UFC 312 Aftermath: Assessing Champions’ Positions and Future Challenges

At UFC 312 in Sydney, both Dricus du Plessis and Zhang Weili successfully defended their titles. Du Plessis silenced critics with a dominant win over Sean Strickland, while Zhang solidified her status as the top female fighter with a one-sided victory against Tatiana Suarez.

Du Plessis’ impressive UFC record places him as the fourth-greatest middleweight champion in UFC history, behind Anderson Silva, Israel Adesanya, and Chris Weidman. His potential matchup with Khamzat Chimaev is highly anticipated, though du Plessis may have an edge due to his size and relentless fighting style.

Zhang Weili is currently at her peak, dominating the strawweight division. However, at 35, questions arise about her longevity and potential move to the flyweight division. A matchup with Valentina Shevchenko remains an intriguing possibility, though Shevchenko’s recent performances suggest a decline in her abilities.

The rest of the UFC 312 card was less memorable, with the opening fights of the pay-per-view receiving criticism for their lack of significance. This reflects the current state of UFC events, where the main attractions often overshadow the undercard.