The UFC returns to Sydney this weekend but unfortunately for locals neither of the title fights involve an Australian fighter.
Current UFC Middleweight champion Dricus Du Plessis will put his belt on the line as he takes on the former holder, and outspoken American, Sean Strickland.
The Co-Main Event is a clash in the Women’s Strawweight division when champion Weili Zhang again defends her belt against Tatiana Suarez.
A host of locals fill out the remaining main card fights including Justin Tafa, Jimmy Crute and Jake Matthews and our full preview with tips can be found below.
Dricus Du Plessis vs Sean Strickland
Undefeated since 2019, Dricus Du Plessis’s rise in the UFC has been dramatic and fast.
He brings in a 10 fight win streak to his second title defense, eight of which have been in the UFC and includes wins over Derek Brunson, Israel Adesanya and he’s already defeated Sean Strickland this time last year.
Strickland shocked the world when he beat long time Middleweight champion Israel Adesanya in Sydney at the end of 2023 but lost the belt just four months later to the South African.
He has lost just three times since 2018, one of those losses via knock out to Alex Pereira in 2022.
His unique shoulder roll boxing style allows him to continue to press forward on his opponent’s and his cardio may just be his strong point.
Once an issue for Du Plessis, his cardio has been his biggest improvement in recent years and he proved that by going five rounds in an extremely close fight when these two last met.
This shapes as another cracking contest between two well rounded fighters but the value lies with the brash American.
1 Unit Sean Strickland @ $2.70
Weili Zhang vs Tatiana Suarez
Back to back losses to Rose Namajunas in 2021 are the only blemish on Weili Zhang’s MMA career and she has won 23 of her last 25 professional fights.
The Chinese athlete beat Carla Esparza via submission at the end of 2023 and has now defended the Strawweight title twice.
It has been a long and bumpy road for Tatiana Suarez since earning a UFC contract through The Ultimate Fighter back in 2016.
The BJJ black belt has had only 10 pro MMA fights in her career but she remains undefeated with wins over former UFC champions Alexa Grasso, Carla Esparza and Jessica Andrade along the way.
She earns a title shot despite not entering the octagon since August 2023 not only because she is the most obvious choice but also through a lack of quality opponent left for Weili Zhang!
The market suggests this is a 50/50 contest with punters struggling to split the two but give me the more experienced and active current champion every day at those odds!
4 Units Weili Zhang To Win @ $1.90
Justin Tafa vs Tallison Teixeira
Former XFC Heavyweight champion Justin Tafa entered the UFC in 2019 and has fought nine times since for a record of 4-4 with one No Contest thrown in.
Reminding many old school UFC fans of the great Mark Hunt, Tafa has no issue standing in the middle of the octagon and trading heavy blows.
All seven of his pro wins have been by knockout and all four in the UFC have been in the first round.
This is no easy fight as he takes on 211cm giant Tallison Teixeira, who makes his UFC debut with a perfect record of 7-0.
The Brazalian earned a contract through Dana White’s Contender Series with a straight right knock out in the first round and he poses more than just a striking threat.
If he can use his range, take the fight to the canvas and fights smart in front of what is sure to be a raucous home crowd in Sydney, he can secure a huge win.
2 Units Tallison Teixeira To Win @ $1.70
Jimmy Crute vs Rodolpho Bellato
Winning his way into the UFC through Dana White’s Contender Series in 2018, Aussie Jimmy Crute has had an up and down career in the biggest MMA promotion in the sport.
He has the rare feat of beating BJJ expert Paul Craig via submission in just his second UFC fight but he does come into this challenge without a win in his last four fights.
Like Justin Tafa he plays local host to a UFC newcomer in the form of Brazilian Rodolpho Bellato who is a former LFA champion on a four fight win streak.
Unlike Tafa, Crute is a very well rounded mixed martial artist who has fought some of the best in the division including former champion Jamahal Hill.
He also offers value as the outsider in the head to head market.
2 Units Jimmy Crute To Win @ $2.30
Jake Matthews vs Francisco Prado
An Australian UFC pioneer will open the main card on Sunday at Qudos Arena in Sydney when Jake Matthews walks to the octagon for the 21st time.
An accomplished wrestler who has eight wins via submissions, Matthews has forged a career by being very well rounded in all facets of the game.
His opponent Francisco Prado brings his own strengths into this fight but also a record of one win and two losses during his short three fight UFC career.
The first of those losses came via the hands of Aussie Jamie Mullarkey this time last year in Australia and he loved it so much he’s back again!
This is no easy task for the Aussie but experience, home ground advantage and the ability to control the fight through his dominant wrestling may just be the difference!
2 Units Jake Matthews To Win @ $1.48