UFC 312 Title Rematch, Strawweight Clash, and Big-Fight Buzz
Fans are buzzing about UFC 312, and this episode of Ringside Report MMA delivered lively discussion from Dave Simon, Fred Garcia, and AJ D’Alesio. Audiences on YouTube, Rumble, Twitch, and Kick jumped into the live chat, sharing hot takes about the title rematch in the main event, a strawweight showdown in the co-main, and other upcoming fights. You’re in the right place if you’re here for inside views and predictions.
The hosts spent most of the episode examining each aspect of this weekend’s matchups. Below, you’ll see how they predict the fights will go, including direct quotes from the hosts that match the transcript precisely. Stick around for a look at potential fights rumored for later this year. Catch the episode’s replay on YouTube, Rumble, Twitch, or Kick, or listen to the audio podcast wherever you get your shows.
Sean Strickland vs. Dricus Du Plessis: Middleweight Title Rematch
The spotlight is on the middleweight belt. Sean Strickland challenges champion Dricus Du Plessis in their second encounter. Du Plessis won a split decision the first time they fought, sparking debate about who deserved it. On this show, the consensus is that Du Plessis is in prime form right now, but Sean Strickland’s pressure and unpredictability can’t be ignored.
Key Quote from Dave Simon
“He lost to him in a very close fight that some people thought Strickland won.” – Dave Simon.
Dave made it clear that their first meeting was razor-thin. He recalled how some fans argued Strickland got the better of the action. Though Dave leans to Du Plessis this time, he admitted Sean’s volume and aggression could create problems if Du Plessis can’t handle the pace.
Fred Garcia’s Take
“But Dricus moves well around his opponent. So I think Strickland will get frustrated, and Dricus will edge out another decision.” – Fred Garcia.
Fred emphasized that Du Plessis seems to evolve each time out. He said Strickland’s style is effective but hasn’t changed much, while Du Plessis appears to add new layers. Fred envisions a repeat outcome—this time, maybe even more one-sided.
Fred’s Pick: Du Plessis by decision, predicting a 49-46 score.
AJ D’Alesio’s Pick
“So I got the Dricus winning again.” – AJ D’Alesio
AJ highlighted how both men bring constant pressure, but Du Plessis has shown a “dominating pressure machine” vibe lately. He expects Strickland to push the action, yet Du Plessis matches or surpasses him. AJ noted that Strickland’s recent Twitter feuds might be a distraction:
“He’s beefing with Khamzat Chimaev… picking fights with everybody.”
Despite Strickland’s toughness, AJ thinks Du Plessis will leave with the belt.
AJ’s Pick: Du Plessis will defend by late finish or a clear-cut decision.
Dave Simon’s Pick
Dave is fully aligned with Fred and AJ, seeing a sharper Du Plessis who can outmaneuver Strickland. He expects a more decisive outcome than their close first meeting.
Dave’s Pick: Du Plessis by TKO in the later rounds.
Zhang Weili vs. Tatiana Suarez: Strawweight Championship Collision
The co-main event features Zhang Weili defending against the undefeated Tatiana Suarez. Zhang has steamrolled recent opponents, while Suarez hasn’t fought since August 2023 due to fights falling through. Still, her wrestling pedigree fuels high expectations for a massive upset.
AJ D’Alesio on Tatiana Suarez
“If it goes down to the mat, you’ve got like a high-level wrestler… I think Tatiana can make Weili suffer.” – AJ D’Alesio
AJ backed Suarez’s wrestling and submission game. He pointed to Zhang’s 50% takedown defense and thought repeated pressure could lead to a submission finish before the fight hit the championship rounds. AJ said it’s an ideal style clash:
“Her takedown defense is like nothing to brag about… If this turns into a complete wrestling match, she won’t last five rounds.”
AJ’s Pick: Suarez via submission in the middle rounds.
Fred Garcia’s View
“Zhang Weili is tough in those fights, man. She never stops. She keeps pushing round after round.” – Fred Garcia.
Fred believes Zhang Weili’s cardio and championship experience will neutralize Suarez’s grappling. He noted Zhang’s proven track record, outside of her losses to Rose Namajunas, and said she pours on a relentless pace that can break opponents if the fight goes past the early frames.
Fred’s Pick: Zhang Weili by decision (49-46 on the scorecards).
Dave Simon’s Pick
Dave questioned how Suarez earned a title shot after a year of inactivity and multiple fight withdrawals. However, he acknowledged her undefeated record and finishing ability. Still, he sees Zhang’s overall skill set as more refined and expects her to stuff enough takedowns to keep the belt.
Dave’s Pick: Zhang Weili by decision.
Undercard Highlights and Audience Comments
The hosts weren’t too excited about the rest of the UFC 312 lineup but pointed out a few potential bright spots. One intriguing matchup is bantamweight Kobe Thickness vs. Alexandre Topuria. Thickness trains under Alexander Volkanovski, while Topuria is the brother of rising contender Ilia Topuria.
Dave Simon chuckled at the name “Kobe Thickness” and said fans might tune in just out of curiosity. In the live chat, Angelo joked about how it could be the sleeper fight if both men push the pace.
Fred Garcia said he’s more likely to tune in for the main card:
“I’ll watch zero prelims… The first three pay-per-view fights might end by knockout.”
Rumors: UFC Returning to Montreal?
Though most discussions in this Ringside Report MMA episode locked in on UFC 312, the hosts briefly discussed possible events later in 2025. Dave Simon brought up rumors that the UFC might return to Montreal for the first time since Demetrious Johnson headlined there years ago.
Fights like Charles Oliveira vs. Arman Tsarukyan or Dustin Poirier vs. Paddy Pimblett could beef up a pay-per-view card. Fred Garcia wants to see local names like Charles Jourdain and Marc-André Barriault on the undercard to spark hometown interest. AJ D’Alesio hopes Valentina Shevchenko defends her flyweight title against Manon Fiorot if the UFC visits Quebec, though Dave doesn’t see that as a major headliner.
Big Boxing News: Jake Paul vs. Canelo?
At the tail end, the talk shifted to Jake Paul’s rumored next fight against boxing superstar Canelo Alvarez. Fred thinks it’s a mismatch:
“Canelo’s gonna kill him.”
AJ reminded everyone how often people have underestimated Jake Paul, only to see him score surprising knockouts. Dave said he’ll withhold full judgment until something official is announced, but the potential size gap alone has fans throwing out theories on a possible outcome. The chat lit up with opinions, showing that even in MMA circles, the idea of Paul vs. Canelo draws attention.
Key Takeaways
- Du Plessis Favored: Dave, Fred, and AJ all pick the reigning champ over Strickland, noting Du Plessis’ evolution vs. Strickland’s static style.
- Strawweight Split: Fred and Dave predict Zhang Weili will keep her title. AJ sees an opening for Tatiana Suarez’s wrestling to seize the belt by submission.
- Undercard Curiosity: One storyline is Alexander Topuria vs. Kobe Thickness, with Volkanovski and Ilia Topuria in opposite corners.
- Watch-Along Invite: The Ringside Report MMA crew hosts a live watch-along at 10 p.m. Eastern on Saturday.
- Montreal Hype?: Possible UFC 315 talk has fans imagining Oliveira vs. Tsarukyan or Poirier vs. Pimblett at the Bell Centre.
- Jake Paul’s Next Move: Rumored boxing match with Canelo Alvarez sparks debate among the hosts on size advantages vs. elite skill.
Conclusion and How to Tune In
UFC 312 brings a title rematch, a major strawweight championship clash, and plenty of back-and-forth energy among the Ringside Report MMA hosts. If you want more detailed breakdowns and the thrill of watching the card with live commentary, check out the replay of this episode on YouTube, Rumble, Twitch, or Kick. You can also find the audio podcast wherever you prefer to listen.
Join the Ringside Report Network’s UFC 312 watch-along at 10 p.m. Eastern on Saturday. Whether you’re confident about Du Plessis retaining or think Sean Strickland’s power and pace can swing an upset, there’s no shortage of intrigue. Grab your snacks, post your fight picks, and enjoy the action with Dave, Fred, AJ, and an active chat audience.
