Du Plessis Vs Strickland 2: UFC 312 Scorecards

𝕲𝖔𝖌𝖔𝖛 𝕯𝖎𝖌𝖎𝖙𝖆𝖑 𝕸𝖊𝖉𝖎𝖆

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Post on Feb 09, 2025

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Du Plessis vs. Strickland 2: UFC 312 Scorecards – A Controversial Conclusion Analyzed

The highly anticipated rematch between Dricus du Plessis and Robert Whittaker at UFC 312 ended in a split decision victory for Du Plessis, igniting a firestorm of debate amongst fans and experts alike. While the fight itself was a compelling back-and-forth affair showcasing the elite striking and grappling skills of both fighters, it was the subsequent scorecards that truly dominated the post-fight conversation. This article will delve deep into the Du Plessis vs. Strickland 2 scorecards, analyzing each round individually to understand the controversy and ultimately determine if the judges' decisions were justified.

The Fight: A Close Contest

Before diving into the specifics of the scorecards, it's crucial to recap the fight itself. Both Du Plessis and Strickland brought their A-game, showcasing a fascinating blend of power and precision. Du Plessis, known for his powerful wrestling and aggressive striking, consistently looked to take the fight to the ground, while Strickland, with his lightning-fast counters and superior boxing technique, aimed to keep the fight standing.

The fight unfolded in a series of closely contested rounds, with neither fighter achieving clear dominance. Du Plessis landed some significant takedowns, controlling Strickland on the ground for periods of time. However, Strickland's superior striking accuracy and effective counter-punching kept him in the fight, landing clean shots that visibly rocked Du Plessis on multiple occasions. The constant shifts in momentum and the ebb and flow of the action made it exceedingly difficult to definitively declare a winner based solely on watching the fight unfold.

Analyzing the Scorecards: Round by Round Breakdown

The controversial nature of the fight's outcome stems largely from the contrasting opinions of the three judges. To fully understand the controversy, let's break down each round individually, examining the key moments and arguing for a possible justification for each judge's scoring:

Round 1: This round was arguably the closest of the fight. Du Plessis secured an early takedown, controlling Strickland for a significant portion of the round. However, Strickland showcased his resilience, defending takedowns effectively and landing some impactful strikes when the fight returned to the feet. The judges were split: one scored it for Du Plessis, one for Strickland, and one a 10-10 draw, reflecting the truly competitive nature of the opening stanza.

Round 2: In the second round, the narrative shifted slightly. Du Plessis again secured takedowns, showcasing his wrestling prowess and grinding out control time on the mat. While Strickland defended admirably, preventing any substantial damage from guard, Du Plessis's control arguably gave him the edge in this round. Many scored this round in favor of Du Plessis, although the effectiveness of his ground control remained a point of debate.

Round 3: The third round saw Strickland regain momentum. His superior boxing accuracy shone through, landing several clean shots that visibly hurt Du Plessis. While Du Plessis attempted takedowns, Strickland's improved takedown defense prevented him from controlling the round on the ground. Strickland’s striking volume and accuracy, combined with his successful takedown defense, arguably earned him this round.

Round 4: The fourth round was another highly contested stanza. Both fighters landed significant strikes, showcasing their considerable power. Du Plessis again attempted takedowns, but Strickland’s improved defense proved effective in preventing prolonged periods of ground control. The exchange of significant strikes, coupled with Du Plessis's takedown attempts, made this another extremely difficult round to score definitively.

Round 5: The final round was a high-intensity affair, with both fighters leaving it all in the octagon. Du Plessis secured another takedown early, but Strickland quickly returned to his feet, and the fight devolved into a back-and-forth striking exchange. The question of who landed more significant strikes and who controlled the dominant positions remained central to the debate surrounding the final scoring.

The Controversy and the Judges' Discrepancies

The scorecards reflected a significant divergence in opinion among the judges. One judge scored the fight 48-47 for Du Plessis, while another scored it 48-47 for Strickland. The final judge's scorecard, a 49-46 victory for Du Plessis, was the most controversial, implying a dominant performance by Du Plessis that many viewers simply didn't see. This massive discrepancy highlights the subjective nature of judging mixed martial arts and the challenges inherent in assessing the totality of a close fight.

Conclusion: A Case for Further Discussion

The Du Plessis vs. Strickland 2 fight and the subsequent scorecards have reignited the ongoing debate regarding the judging criteria in MMA. While some argued that Du Plessis's takedowns and control time should outweigh Strickland's striking accuracy, others emphasized Strickland's clean counter-strikes and effective takedown defense. The discrepancy between the judges’ scoring underlines the need for continued discussion and improvement in the judging system to ensure fairer and more consistent results in close fights. The lack of a clear victor in this match highlights that in MMA, a decisive victory is not always guaranteed, and the subjective nature of judging can lead to highly debated outcomes. The controversy surrounding the scorecards will undoubtedly fuel further conversation about the future of MMA judging and the need for greater transparency and consistency in evaluating these incredibly dynamic and technically challenging bouts.