UFC 312 fight grades: Did Du Plessis-Strickland 2 live up to expectations? - ESPN

The UFC took two title fights to the «land down under» for the promotion's second pay-per-view event of the year. Zhang Weili turned back the challenge of Tatiana Suarez to successfully defend the strawweight championship with a one-sided decision in the co-main event, while middleweight champion Dricus Du Plessis extended his winning streak to nine by smashing Sean Strickland's nose on his way to a unanimous decision in the main event. Neither fight delivered much by way of drama but how did the rest of the card fare? Did it make up for its lack of star power with exciting fights?

Not really. Nine of the 12 fights went the distance.

After each pay-per-view, we break down and assess the quality of each fight and the fight card itself based on skill displayed, competitiveness and what is at stake. Andreas Hale takes a look at all 12 fights of UFC 312, including both title fights and a surprising winner for Fight of the Night.

Result: Rongzhu defeats Steele by unanimous decision

Grade: A-

This was an absolute banger that put a lot of pressure on the rest of the fight card. Rongzhu and Steele engaged in a battle where violence was absolutely on the menu. Rongzhu dissolved Steele's «0» with high-level striking that busted up the previously unbeaten fighter. But Steele refused to allow his former training partner to get away without a response. At 24 years old, with an obscene 32 pro fights, Rongzhu continues to improve and will be one to keep an eye on.

Watch this fight on ESPN+

Result: Zhang defeats Suarez by unanimous decision

Grade: B

Zhang turned in a masterful performance against a woman who was thought to be the uncrowned champion. It turns out that there are levels in MMA and Zhang is perched high above the rest of