Dricus Du Plessis Dethrones Sean Strickland at UFC 297; Dana White Scores Fight in Favor of Strickland
In a stunning showcase of MMA mastery, Dricus Du Plessis clinched a hard-fought win against Sean Strickland in the much-awaited UFC 297 headliner. Held in Toronto, this middleweight championship clash was a fusion of elite technique, tactical brilliance, and relentless grit from both warriors inside the Octagon.
Du Plessis, the powerhouse from South Africa, stepped into the cage boasting a stellar 21-2 MMA record and riding the wave of an eight-bout win streak. Fresh off a second-round TKO of ex-champ Robert Whittaker at UFC 290, he’s a finisher through and through, notching 19 finishes in 20 wins before UFC 297.
On the other side, the defending champion, Sean Strickland, came into the fight with a record of 28-6 in MMA. He had previously claimed the middleweight world title at UFC 293 following a unanimous decision victory over Israel Adesanya. Strickland’s win over Adesanya marked his third consecutive victory, establishing him as a dominant force in the division.
Strickland came out swinging, unleashing his striking skills and tagging Du Plessis’ left eye with rapid-fire jabs. But the South African contender flipped the script in the later rounds, flexing his fight IQ with a commanding performance in the fourth.
Despite Strickland’s valiant effort in the fifth round, Du Plessis ultimately swayed the judges, earning a split decision victory with scores of 47-48, 48-47, 48-47. This win marked a significant milestone in Du Plessis’ career, crowning him as the new UFC middleweight champion.
UFC’s top boss Dana White, ringside for the clash, gave his take at the post-fight presser. White had it 3-2 for Strickland, but not everyone in his circle agreed. White isn’t rushing to book Du Plessis vs. Strickland rematch, even with that scorecard. Instead, he’s teasing a possible showdown between Du Plessis and ex-champ Israel Adesanya, firing up fans for what could be another blockbuster in the Octagon.
