Du Plessis and Strickland last faced each other at UFC 297 in January 2024, where Du Plessis won via a split decision to dethrone Strickland. Since then, Strickland has been working to regain his title, most recently securing a split-decision victory over Paulo Costa at UFC 302 in June. Du Plessis, meanwhile, has solidified his position at the top of the 185-pound class with a submission victory over former champion Israel Adesanya at UFC 305.
The co-main event will see a championship clash in the womenās strawweight division, as reigning champion Zhang Weili defends her 115-pound title against top contender Tatiana Suarez. Suarez, who has been marked for strawweight greatness but has faced setbacks due to injuries, is set to make her comeback after a year off to regain full fitness. Her last two fights in 2023 ended in back-to-back submission wins, and she will now face the undefeated Zhang Weili, who last fought at UFC 300 in April, winning a unanimous decision against Yan Xiaonan.
These two title fights promise to deliver exciting matchups as the UFC returns to Sydney, Australia, and fans are eagerly anticipating the event.
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