NRL star Nathan Cleary was one of multiple Aussie sports stars spotted at the Qudos Bank Arena for Sunday’s UFC 312 event.
Controversial American star, who had previously lashed out at Australia calling the government ‘communist’, was beaten in a brutal and bloody slugfest by South African fighter Dricus Du Plessis in the headline event.
Du Plessis broke his opponent’s nose as he went on to secure a unanimous decision victory against Strickland in their rematch, to retain his middleweight title.
In front of a record attendance at an indoor Australian arena, Zhang Weili fended off Tatiana Suarez to retain her women’s strawweight title while young Aussie fighter Quillan Salkilld got the fans on their feet, just 19 seconds into his bout against Anshul Jubli.
He produced a prolific knockout in his debut fight with a huge overhand right, sending his opponent to the canvas with the referee ending the contest.
Cleary was one of several high-profile names inside the Qudos Bank Arena and met with UFC President Dana White during the night and sat alongside fellow NRL stars Hudson Young and Scott Sorensen.
Elsewhere, other big names were spotted in the crowd including NRL boss Peter V’landys, who was also seen meeting with White.
NRL great Nathan Cleary was seen arriving on Sunday for UFC 312 and headlined a raft of aussie sports stars in attendance
Cleary watched on from the side of the cage and spoke to 7News on why he loved the sport
Thanasi Kokkinakis, who had suffered an early exit at last month’s Australian Open, was also seen watching on in the crowd, while cricket great Steve Waugh also enjoyed the evening.
A pair of Swans stars, Tom Papley and Justin McInerney also took a break from pre-season training to head over to the Olympic Park for the evening.
Cleary, meanwhile, is hoping to make his return to NRL action next month, after he underwent shoulder surgery in the off-season.
The four-time Premiership winner had been spotted on Saturday watching his team-mates square off against the Canberra Raiders in round one of the Witzer Pre-Season Challenge and stopped for a quick interview with 7News ahead of UFC 312.
‘Yeah, pumped, I came last time I was in Sydney too, so I’m happy to be here again and enjoying it,’ the footy star told the outlet upon arriving at the venue.
Cleary admitted that he likes to tune in to watch the fighting championship on a regular basis.
‘Pretty regularly. I’ve been into it for a while now and I just love elite sport and seeing them do their thing and when they go into that Octagon it’s like nothing any other sport.
‘It’s pretty amazing what they do.’
Tennis star Thanasi Kokkinakis was pictured inside the arena, a month after his exit from the Australian Open
Swans duo Justin McInerney and Tom Papley took a break from pre-season training for the event
Cricket legend Steve Waugh was also in the house and cut a pensive figure as he watched the fight card
His comments before the fight perhaps couldn’t have been any truer, after Strickland appeared to re-set his broken nose during his bout against Du Plessis mid-way through the fight.
Blood was seen pouring down his face and the South African lumped praise on his opponent for continuing the fight.
‘He was definitely rattled, I could see him going backwards. My coaches, I could hear them saying: “Chill, chill out.” I honestly thought he was going to but just shows you the calibre of fighter and his calibre of heart he’s deserving of all the hype and what a tough, tough person.
‘I have all the respect in the world for him.’
Du Plessis also revealed that he challenged Alex Pereira in the Octagon after the fight.
‘Since he’s standing across the octagon…Is there no one else? Is there no one else?’ the South African had said.
He later revealed in his press conference that the pair had met backstage.
‘Yeah, he came up to me and asked: “Did you challenge me?” Du Plessis said.
Israel Adesanya was applauded by Dana White as he took his seat a the side of the Octagon for the evening
Dricus Du Plessis headlined the event and claimed a huge unanimous decision victory against Sean Strickland
Du Plessis brutally broke Strickland’s nose during the fight, sending blood gushing down his face
He would retain his middleweight belts and celebrated with his partner Vasti Spiller inside the octagon
‘I was like: “I did the whole show, I did the whole movie scene and everything,” and you’re like: “Did you challenge me?” That’s anticlimactic, but sure, yes.
‘I’ve the world’s respect for Alex Pereira. I think he is the pound-for-pound best fighter in the world.
‘I have the most respect for him for what he’s done in a short period of time in the UFC to come from another sport…
‘I want to share the octagon with that man. I’ve beaten [Israel] Adesanya, who has beaten him. I know I can beat him and at 205 [pounds], 100 per cent.’
