Exciting Preliminary Action at UFC 312
The UFC 312 event kept fans at the edge of their seats at the Qudos Bank Arena in Sydney, Australia, on February 8, 2025. The preliminary card was loaded with high-energy performances that left an indelible mark on the evening's proceedings. Especially noteworthy were the featherweight and lightweight bouts, showcasing emerging talents and spirited fights.
In the featherweight showdown, Australia's own Jack Jenkins executed an impressive rear-naked choke submission over Gabriel Santos from Brazil at 2:06 in the third round. This victory not only thrilled local audiences but also highlighted Jenkins as a fighter to watch in the future.
Meanwhile, in the lightweight division, another Australian, Tom Nolan, secured a hard-fought win against Viacheslav Borshchev of Russia. Nolan's unanimous decision victory, with scores reading 29-28 across the board, demonstrated his tenacity and strategic fighting approach. His win reinforced the potential for Australian fighters to shine on the global UFC stage.
Across the women's flyweight category, Wang Cong from China skillfully outperformed Bruna Brasil, also from Brazil. Her total dominance was reflected in a unanimous decision (30-27), displaying her refined technique and precision.
However, not all Australians found success in the preliminaries. In the bantamweight bout, Colby Thicknesse faced a challenging opponent in Georgia's Aleksandre Topuria. Despite a valiant effort, Thicknesse lost unanimously, each judge scoring the fight 27-30.
Main Card Highlights and Championship Retentions
The anticipation reached a fever pitch as the main card unfolded, featuring crucial title defenses. Dricus du Plessis from South Africa stood tall in his middleweight title bout, fending off a spirited challenge from Sean Strickland of the United States. Du Plessis' unanimous decision victory, scored 50-45, 50-45, and 49-46, underscored his championship pedigree and strategic prowess inside the octagon.
In the women's strawweight category, China's Zhang Weili faced Tatiana Suarez from the USA, delivering a masterful performance. Zhang's unanimous decision win (50-45, 50-45, and 49-46) ensured her stronghold on the championship, once again proving her skill and determination.
The event also delivered one of the evening's quickest and most electrifying moments when Justin Tafa of New Zealand quickly dispatched Tallison Teixeira from Brazil. Tafa knocked out Teixeira within just 35 seconds of the first round, earning him the coveted Performance of the Night award.
Adding to the thrill, Australian Jimmy Crute faced Rodolfo Bellato from Brazil, edging out a majority decision victory with scores 29-28, 29-28, and 28-29. This win capped off a night filled with unforgettable action, cementing UFC 312 as an exhilarating spectacle of skill, strategy, and heart.
