UFC makes its seventh visit to Sydney this weekend with the 312 event at Qudos Bank Arena on Sunday, February 9.
It is the first trip Down Under since UFC 293 in September 2023 and features a UFC Middleweight Championship rematch between current champion Dricus du Plessis and former champion Sean Strickland.
The pair met a year ago at UFC 297 when du Plessis captured the title by split decision.
A UFC Women’s Strawweight Championship bout between current two-time champion Zhang Welli and Tatiana Suarez – winner of The Ultimate Fighter: Team Joanna vs Team Claudia strawweight title.
Mixed Martial Arts fans who want to catch the action on a big screen around the country can head to one of these five venues for a throw-down good time:
Beer Paddles and Pub Fare with Flair
Meaning delicious in Scottish Gaelic, Blasta Brewing Company on Goodwood Parade in Burswood has a simple mission – brewing blasta beer and serving great fare. This boutique gastrobrewery is the final part of the Blasta Collective to open its doors, housed in a stunning converted red brick warehouse and delivering elevated service with a menu featuring Modern Australian and British dishes created with seasonal local produce alongside beer, whisky and gin all brewed in-house.
Grab a Blasta tasting paddle of five beers to get the UFC party started to go with lobster tostadas, jalapeño and lime crema, pickled red onion and coriander; followed by a sucker punch main like Scotch fillet with wild mushrooms, Bordelaise sauce and watercress.
Lively Sports Bar with TV Screens
Discover Echuca’s favourite pub for food, entertainment and accommodation at The Caledonian Hotel on Hare Street. Located in the heart of Echuca-Moama, just a stone’s throw from the train station, find a lively sports bar with TV screens for all the action, betting shop, casual restaurant and beer garden to enjoy balmy days after a trip on the Murray River paddle steamer.
Start your Sunday UFC session with pulled pork and Asian slaw sliders, before wrapping your hands around a steak sandwich with bacon, egg, onion, lettuce, tomato, aioli, tomato relish and chips; for the killer blow, devour grilled barramundi, chips and tartar sauce.
Keep it Real at the Howdy
Good times and adventures are calling at the Howard Springs Tavern on Whitewood Road. Located on the doorstep of Kakadu National Park just 23 kilometres south of Darwin, the Howdy as it is affectionately known is all about good times and keeping it real – real friends, real food and more than a few laughs enjoyed in the sports bar, bistro or outdoors.
Grab an icy bevy and get ready for some kickin’ good action with duck and crocodile spring rolls and dipping sauce, then chow down on a Territory buffalo burger with lettuce, tomato, melted cheese and tomato chutney on a burger bun.
Country Goodness on the Plate
Country goodness, one plate at a time, is what you’ll find at Woomargama Hotel on Woomargama Way in Holbrook. Located just off the Hume Highway in Southern NSW, this classic watering hole is rich in history and the perfect place to stop when travelling through the region to refuel and recharge in the dining room and bar.
Join the locals to catch the sports action and appease hunger with zucchini and corn fritters with housemade beetroot relish and garlic aioli; those with ravenous appetites opt for crispy pork belly, apple and celeriac slaw, spiced plum sauce and chips.
A Royal Good Time Awaits
A touch of royal treatment awaits diners at the iconic Merewether Hotel, The Prince on Morgan Street. There's a breath of fresh air for this local favourite with new ownership and management pumping new life into the hotel, with extensive renovations from the kitchen to balcony bar, sports bar and dining room.
Grab your mates and head down on Sunday for a bite and brew in preparation for all the action and devour Southern fried chicken wings with blue cheese sauce; land a knockout punch to hunger with crispy skinned chicken breast – sous vide chicken supreme, corn purée, sautéed King brown mushrooms and pickled eschalots.
