Blockbuster world title rematch locked in for stacked Aussie card in ...

UFC middleweight king Dricus du Plessis is headed back Down Under for yet another title defence, with the South African set to face Sean Strickland in a blockbuster UFC 312 headliner in Sydney on Sunday, February 9.

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In the co-main, UFC officials are also announcing today that women’s strawweight champ Weili Zhang will defend her crown against No.1 contender Tatiana Suarez.

Other bouts announced are:

* Australian heavyweight Justin Tafa v Brazilian Tallison Teixeira;

* Melbourne light heavyweight Jimmy Crute returning against Marcin Prachnio;

* Perth lightweight Quillan Salkilld making his UFC debut against India’s Anshul Jubli; and

* Japanese flyweight Rei Tsuruya stepping into the Octagon against Australia’s Stewart Nicoll.

The headliner also represents the second straight Australian appearance for DDP, who in August defended against Israel Adesanya at UFC 305 in Perth, winning via submission.

Strickland, meanwhile, is also no stranger to Aussie fight fans, with the polarising American also having earned the biggest win of his own cult career in the Harbour City.

Back in 2023, Strickland was a huge underdog when he earned a shock decision win over then UFC champ Adesanya at UFC 293 in Sydney.

Despite then losing the title four months later against DDP, his popularity has exploded among fight fans globally.

Strickland’s Sydney heroics were not without incident, either -- with the Las Vegas resident claiming he punched an Australian fan on the street during fight week, while his controversial views, both prior to fight week and during, also made headlines in mainstream media.

Yet despite whispers suggesting the NSW Government would not welcome the American back, and the fighter even suggesting as much himself, Premier Chris Minns revealed to Fox Sports Australia back in October that there was no ‘ban’ on the fighter dubbed ‘Tarzan’.

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“Firstly, it’s important to say we wouldn’t block it,” he stressed of any bout involving Strickland.

“The second thing I’d say is that I’m a fight fan, I like the UFC.

“But this idea that we’re supposed to endorse all the stupid things fighters say or we can’t enjoy the sport , it’s absolutely ridiculous.

“You’re entitled to be an adult, and enjoy a sport, without subscribing to everything one of the athletes says or does.”

Mr Minns also pointed to the undeniable success of the last Sydney event, which is part of a $16 million deal between his government and the UFC.

“The last fight that headlined here, between Adesanya and Strickland, it ended up being one of the fights of the year,” he said.

“A massive boilover that people were talking about for 12 months.

“The UFC do a great job in that, not protecting their champions.

“Everyone has to muck in.

“And as a result, you never know what you’re going to get … new champions emerge all the time.”

Since beating Strickland the first time around, DDP also defeated Adesanya as part of what is now a 10-fight tear – which includes the likes of Derek Bruson, Darren Till and Australia’s own Robert Whittaker.

Given Strickland lost to DDP via a contentious split decision, the 33-year-old has recently been outspoken in his desire to sit back and wait out the title rematch – which has now arrived.

Like du Plessis, the American has also had a win since their first meeting, scoring a split decision win over Brazilian Paulo Costa in June.

Tickets for UFC 312 will go on sale to the general public on Friday, December 13 at 12 noon (AEDT) and will be available to purchase at ticketek.com.au.