The main event of UFC 312 featured a middleweight championship fight between Dricus Du Plessis and Sean Strickland. Following the match, it received significant attention from the public, mainly from many top analysts and MMA veterans.
Consequently, several notable figures in the UFC community voiced criticisms, particularly aimed at Sean Strickland.
In that fight, despite calling for a war against Dricus Du Plessis, Sean Strickland could not secure a victory. As a result, the UFC middleweight champion comfortably defended his title by unanimous decision. Interestingly, while many criticized Strickland's fighting style for lacking hunger during the match, UFC veteran Matt Brown holds a different opinion. Brown has even provided an intriguing analysis of 'Tarzan.'
A lot of people are dogging Sean for not 'fighting to the death' or going to war or whatever. What I want to know is when did we start listening to what fighters say? Particularly what Sean Strickland says?… Everybody buys into that propaganda or rhetoric or whatever and everybody buys in and wants to watch. Now, everybody is talking about it. Everybody is so shocked he didn't go to war and try to be willing to die for it. When did this become his thing?
Matt Brown via The Fighter vs. The WriterBrown pointed out that Strickland has consistently fought the same way throughout his UFC career. He believed that fans were unnecessarily raising their expectations for the American fighter to defeat Du Plessis. This analysis by Brown holds some truth, as Strickland has won the majority of his fights by decision. 'Tarzan' rarely fought intending to finish his opponent in the octagon.
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There were various criticisms directed at Strickland, with notable figures like Demetrious Johnson even offering some suggestions to him. Meanwhile, UFC CEO Dana White did not criticize Strickland; instead, he praised his toughness, highlighting his five-round battle. Similar to White, several others also came to the defense of the American fighter.
Jared Cannonier reacts to criticisms surrounding Sean Strickland's UFC 312 performance
The 'Tarzan' Sean Strickland is a veteran on the UFC roster. His impressive career in the UFC has been marked by both successes and challenges. Despite these ups and downs, Strickland elevated his status in the promotion by becoming the UFC middleweight champion at UFC 293. Even after this significant achievement, he has faced a considerable amount of hatred and criticism since the last weekend.
This situation has stirred up anger in one of his former rivals, Jared Cannonier. Notably, Strickland and Cannonier faced off in 2022, and 'Tarzan' suffered a split-decision defeat. Fast forward to 2025, after witnessing Strickland being criticized in the UFC community, Cannonier stepped up to defend him in a recent interview.
It sounds good, 'to the death', it does sound good, but Sean Strickland won't walk into a wood chipper either…he scored up against a guy who can throw hard, we've seen the shots he was throwing…you can feel the intent, the energy behind it. Everybody is mad at him because they want to see him walk in and either kill or be killed…but umm, F**k y'all.
Jared Canonier via MMA Today