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talkSPORT betting tips – Best bets and expert advice for UFC 312 Du Plessis vs Strickland II
UFC 312 lands in Sydney this weekend with Dricus Du Plessis putting his Middleweight title on the line in a rematch with Sean Strickland. The co-main event sees Strawweight champion Weili Zhang take on the unbeaten Tatiana Suarez. The rest of the card sees a host of Australian and New Zealand talent on display including Justin Tafa and Jack Jenkins. UFC 311 Tips Dricus Du Plessis to win by Decision or Technical Decision @ 17/10 Justin Tafa to win by KO, TKO or DQ @ 6/4 Aleksandre Topuria to win by KO, TKO or DQ @ 10/11 GET £20 IN FREE BETS WITH TALKSPORT BET* Round six for Du Plessis and Strickland We can analyse all day about what may be different in this rematch between Dricus Du Plessis and Sean Strickland but both men really only fight one way. Du Plessis is a high-volume car crash-type fighter and will keep coming at all angles until, more often than not, he gets a finish. Six of his 8 UFC wins have ended in stoppages, with key victories recorded over Israel Adesanya, Robert Whittaker, Derek Brunson and Darren Till. Strickland is aggressive but defensively sound, usually deploying penetrating jabs and deep kicks. The American is 16-6 in the UFC, with 11 of his wins coming by decision as well as four of his defeats. Not only was the first fight with Du Plessis a split decision, but five of his other UFC contests have been on a knife edge in the judges’ eyes, including last time out against Paulo Costa. Strickland’s dethroning of Israel Adesanya in Sydney in September 2023 was his most impressive performance to date, while Du Plessis becoming the first to submit to the Nigeria-born New Zealand fighter in his last fight was also a huge statement that he is continuing to grow as champion. Du Plessis has promised to be more aggressive from the opening round this time and with Strickland almost certain to go about his business as usual, this one could well end up being in the hands of the judges once more with the champion retaining his title. The time is now for Tafa Justin Tafa lands in a featured spot on the main card against undefeated prospect Tallison Teixeira this weekend. With Mark Hunt having retired and Tai Tuivasa on the verge of calling it a day, Tafa has the opportunity to showcase himself as the latest in a line of all-action heavyweights from the region. The 31-year-old has a mixed 4-4 1 NC record in the UFC, with all four of his wins coming by way of first-round knockout. Outwrestled to a decision defeat in his last fight with Karl Williams, Tafa will be looking to return to winning ways against the 7-0 Teixeira. The 25-year-old won his UFC contract with a first-round stoppage of Arthur Lopez on the Contender Series in September. The Brazilian stands at 6”7 and brings a nine-inch reach advantage to the Octagon. Tafa previously dismantled the 6”6 Austin Lane in the first round and could once again narrow the distance and land on the inexperienced Teieira, who takes a significant step up in competition this weekend. Topuria vs. Volvanovski rivalries renewed There is an interesting side angle to two fighters making their UFC debut this weekend in Aleksandre Topuria (5-1-0) and Colby Thicknesse (7-0-0). Topuria will be cornered by his younger brother, the UFC Featherweight champion Ilia, while Thicknesse will have former champion Alexander Volkanovski on his team. Ilia won his title from Volkanovski, knocking out the Australian in the second round of their encounter at UFC 298 last February, and could well face each other again in a rematch. Aleksandre Topuria last fought in 2023, putting his career on hold to help his brother prepare for his title opportunity. The 29-year-old has finished all of his wins and has one defeat, a weight mismatch against a much heavier opponent. Thicknesse, who trains with Volkanovski at City Kickboxing, rides a three-fight finish streak but takes this bout on short notice after Cody Haddon withdrew. Topuria looks big for Bantamweight and has strong grappling skills, as well as a striking style and unwavering confidence similar to that of his brother. This will be a fun contest between two interesting prospects, but Topuria is the pick to get the victory. GET £20 IN FREE BETS WITH TALKSPORT BET* *odds correct at the time of writing and subject to change 18+ New customers only. Opt in & bet £10+ via mobile on any sports at 2.00+ odds within 7 days. No Cash out. Get 3x £10 Free Bets on selected markets. Free bets expire in 7 days. Card payments & Apple Pay only. T&Cs apply, see below. GambleAware.org | Please gamble responsibly Remember to gamble responsibly A responsible gambler is someone who: Establishes time and monetary limits before playing Only gambles with money they can afford to lose Never chase their losses Doesn’t gamble if they’re upset, angry or depressed GamCare – www.gamcare.org.uk Gamble Aware – www.gambleaware.org
UFC 312 lands in Sydney this weekend with Dricus Du Plessis putting his Middleweight title on the line in a rematch with Sean Strickland.
The co-main event sees Strawweight champion Weili Zhang take on the unbeaten Tatiana Suarez.
The rest of the card sees a host of Australian and New Zealand talent on display including Justin Tafa and Jack Jenkins.
UFC 311 Tips
- Dricus Du Plessis to win by Decision or Technical Decision @ 17/10
- Justin Tafa to win by KO, TKO or DQ @ 6/4
- Aleksandre Topuria to win by KO, TKO or DQ @ 10/11
GET £20 IN FREE BETS WITH TALKSPORT BET*
Round six for Du Plessis and Strickland
We can analyse all day about what may be different in this rematch between Dricus Du Plessis and Sean Strickland but both men really only fight one way.
Du Plessis is a high-volume car crash-type fighter and will keep coming at all angles until, more often than not, he gets a finish.
Six of his 8 UFC wins have ended in stoppages, with key victories recorded over Israel Adesanya, Robert Whittaker, Derek Brunson and Darren Till.
Strickland is aggressive but defensively sound, usually deploying penetrating jabs and deep kicks.
The American is 16-6 in the UFC, with 11 of his wins coming by decision as well as four of his defeats.
Not only was the first fight with Du Plessis a split decision, but five of his other UFC contests have been on a knife edge in the judges’ eyes, including last time out against Paulo Costa.
Strickland’s dethroning of Israel Adesanya in Sydney in September 2023 was his most impressive performance to date, while Du Plessis becoming the first to submit to the Nigeria-born New Zealand fighter in his last fight was also a huge statement that he is continuing to grow as champion.
Du Plessis has promised to be more aggressive from the opening round this time and with Strickland almost certain to go about his business as usual, this one could well end up being in the hands of the judges once more with the champion retaining his title.
The time is now for Tafa
Justin Tafa lands in a featured spot on the main card against undefeated prospect Tallison Teixeira this weekend.
With Mark Hunt having retired and Tai Tuivasa on the verge of calling it a day, Tafa has the opportunity to showcase himself as the latest in a line of all-action heavyweights from the region.
The 31-year-old has a mixed 4-4 1 NC record in the UFC, with all four of his wins coming by way of first-round knockout.
Outwrestled to a decision defeat in his last fight with Karl Williams, Tafa will be looking to return to winning ways against the 7-0 Teixeira.
The 25-year-old won his UFC contract with a first-round stoppage of Arthur Lopez on the Contender Series in September.
The Brazilian stands at 6”7 and brings a nine-inch reach advantage to the Octagon.
Tafa previously dismantled the 6”6 Austin Lane in the first round and could once again narrow the distance and land on the inexperienced Teieira, who takes a significant step up in competition this weekend.
Topuria vs. Volvanovski rivalries renewed
There is an interesting side angle to two fighters making their UFC debut this weekend in Aleksandre Topuria (5-1-0) and Colby Thicknesse (7-0-0).
Topuria will be cornered by his younger brother, the UFC Featherweight champion Ilia, while Thicknesse will have former champion Alexander Volkanovski on his team.
Ilia won his title from Volkanovski, knocking out the Australian in the second round of their encounter at UFC 298 last February, and could well face each other again in a rematch.
Aleksandre Topuria last fought in 2023, putting his career on hold to help his brother prepare for his title opportunity.
The 29-year-old has finished all of his wins and has one defeat, a weight mismatch against a much heavier opponent.
Thicknesse, who trains with Volkanovski at City Kickboxing, rides a three-fight finish streak but takes this bout on short notice after Cody Haddon withdrew.
Topuria looks big for Bantamweight and has strong grappling skills, as well as a striking style and unwavering confidence similar to that of his brother.
This will be a fun contest between two interesting prospects, but Topuria is the pick to get the victory.
GET £20 IN FREE BETS WITH TALKSPORT BET*
*odds correct at the time of writing and subject to change
18+ New customers only. Opt in & bet £10+ via mobile on any sports at 2.00+ odds within 7 days. No Cash out. Get 3x £10 Free Bets on selected markets. Free bets expire in 7 days. Card payments & Apple Pay only. T&Cs apply, see below. GambleAware.org | Please gamble responsibly
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- Establishes time and monetary limits before playing
- Only gambles with money they can afford to lose
- Never chase their losses
- Doesn’t gamble if they’re upset, angry or depressed
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