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Sean Strickland argues for title fight rematch with UFC star Dricus du Plessis: ‘That needs to be run back’

Former undisputed middleweight champion, Sean Strickland insists he wants no part of the politics within the title picture at…

Former undisputed middleweight champion, Sean Strickland insists he wants no part of the politics within the title picture at 185 pounds off the back of his UFC 297 loss to Dricus du Plessis earlier this year, however, claims he should be the next to stand opposite the former in an immediate title rematch.

Strickland, a former undisputed middleweight champion, headlined UFC 297 back in January in Canada, suffering a close, split decision loss to newly-minted gold holder, du Plessis in the pair’s championship battle.

Retaining the number one ranked at middleweight in the months since his loss, outspoken ex-champion, Strickland has been linked with a title-eliminator against another former gold holder, Robert Whittaker in Perth – potentially in August, however, has yet to be booked since his defeat to the South African.

Sean Strickland stakes claim for UFC title rematch

Voicing his concern at a targeted title grudge match between du Plessis and would-be common-foe, Israel Adesanya later this year, Strickland argues that he should be the next challenger to the throne.

Sean Strickland closing as betting favorite to beat Dricus du Plessis at UFC 297 in Canada — Mandatory Credit: Zuffa LLC

“You know I don’t care about fight politics or a belt but it makes me laugh they give Izzy (Israel Adesanya) a rematch to Alex (Pereira) after getting slept,” Sean Strickland posted on his official X account. “I lost a close decision that Dana (White) himself thought I won. Everyone did. The stats did. That needs to be run back.”

You know I don't care about fight politics or a belt but it makes me laugh they give izzy a rematch to alex after getting slept..

I lost a close decision that dana himself thought I won. Everyone did.. The stats did.

That needs to be run back..

— Sean Strickland (@SStricklandMMA) March 13, 2024

Initially winning the title back in September of last year at UFC 293, Strickland turned in one of the biggest upset victories in Octagon memory in a one-sided unanimous decision win over the above-mentioned, Adesanya.

LowKick MMA Awards 2023 Fighter of the Year Sean Strickland — Mandatory Credit: Zuffa LLC

Suffering a title loss to du Plessis in his immediate title fight defense, Strickland’s reign was lamented by former foe, Kamaru Usman, who admitted he regrets not moving to middleweight in search of a championship rematch with him.

Who wins in a title fight rematch: Dricus du Plessis or Sean Strickland?

Dricus du Plessis eyes 205 pound move, chases title fight: ‘We’ve seen Alex Pereira get hurt a lot’

Dricus du Plessis has admitted plans to make a move to the light heavyweight limit in the not-so-distant future,…

Dricus du Plessis has admitted plans to make a move to the light heavyweight limit in the not-so-distant future, but first plans to build up a credible winning run at his middleweight stomping grounds.

du Plessis, the current undisputed UFC middleweight champion, most recently headlined back in January of this year in Canada, turning in a close, split decision win over Sean Strickland to snatch the divisional title.

And linked with a return at UFC 300 in April, South African force, du Plessis admitted that a turnaround so soon to face former two-time champion, Israel Adesanya simply was not feasible for him – given he’s still carrying a string of injuries and bumps suffered in his January main event.

Welcoming the possibility of fighting light heavyweight champion, Alex Pereira – who headlines UFC 300, in fact, du Plessis wants to extend his winning run at middleweight first and foremost, particularly since he minted himself as divisional gold holder.

“Everybody wants to be a double champ, I understand that,” Dricus du Plessis said during a sitdown interview with Cameron Saaiman. “But, I am willing to say, ‘Okay, if there’s people left to fight, if [Robert] Whittaker just keeps on beating everybody, who am I going to fight?”

Dricus du Plessis previews Alex Pereira fight at UFC 300

And dissecting potential incoming foe, Pereira’s headlining title affair with former champion, Jamahal Hill next month in Las Vegas, du Plessis urged fans and viewers to prepare themselves for the possibility that the Brazilian is toppled – due to the apparent fact he gets “hurt” more than often.

“That’s an incredible fight,” Dricus du Plessis said of Alex Pereira’s clash with Jamahal Hill at UFC 300. “That’s a good fight. You have this – both strikers – but you have one guy who’s such a clinical striker then you have this guy that he just fires and he throws bombs. Listen, if Jamahal Hill knocks out Alex Pereira, I will not be surprised.”

“We’ve seen Alex Pereira get hurt a lot,” du Plessis explained. “I don’t think Jamahal Hill needs to make it a dog fight. If he’s going to stand in range and get kicked the whole time, Alex Pereira’s just going to lead his legs then it’s over.”

Israel Adesanya claims he won't fight Dricus du Plessis at UFC 293 his foot is sore — Mandatory Credit: Jeff Bottari – Zuffa LLC

Admitting he’s not necessarily rushing a return to land a grudge fight with City Kickboxing striker ace, Adesanya later this year, du Plessis warned the former two-time champion that a long overdue clash between the two will come definitely on his terms, given the fact he now finds himself strapped with gold.

Would you like to see Dricus du Plessis fight Alex Pereira in the future?

Dricus du Plessis claims injury axed fight with Israel Adesanya at UFC 300: ‘Why would I risk it?’

Undisputed middleweight champion, Dricus du Plessis has revealed an outstanding injury from his January title win over Sean Strickland…

Undisputed middleweight champion, Dricus du Plessis has revealed an outstanding injury from his January title win over Sean Strickland has ruled him from a UFC 300 grudge fight against Israel Adesanya – questioning why he would enter a training camp while compromised.

du Plessis, the current undisputed middleweight titleholder, most recently headlined UFC 297 back in January in Canada, landing the divisional crown with a close split decision win over the aforementioned common-foe, Strickland.

And immediately calling for a title fight defense with former two-time middleweight champion, Adesanya, South African favorite, du Plessis suggested the pair settle their long-standing differences at UFC 300 in April.

Responding to the new champion’s call out, Adesanya revealed that despite agreeing to an offer from the promotion to headline UFC 300 against du Plessis, the Pretoria native shut down the potential clash.

Dricus du Plessis reveals UFC 300 title fiasco

Confirming his decision to avoid a UFC 300 return next month in Las Vegas, du Plessis questioned why he would enter training camp whilst carrying an injury.

“With the conversations of [UFC] 300, that would’ve been a massive fight with me and Izzy (Israel Adesanya),” Dricus du Plessis whilst speaking with Cameron Saaiman It was on the table, 100 percent, but one thing people don’t realize is why would I go and start a camp once again, injured, if I am the champion? Taking risks is one thing, I have been taking risks, a lot, but why would I risk?”

“I’m the champion now, and I can fight when I’m ready,” Dricus du Plessis explained. “I think Izzy misjudges himself as still being a champion, and he’s not.”

Do you think Dricus du Plessis fights Israel Adesanya this year?

Israel Adesanya claims Dricus du Plessis turned down UFC 300 title grudge fight: ‘His side didn’t want it’

Amid recent claims from City Kickboxing teammate, Dan Hooker regarding his planned involvement in a monstrous UFC 300 card…

Amid recent claims from City Kickboxing teammate, Dan Hooker regarding his planned involvement in a monstrous UFC 300 card later this year, former middleweight kingpin, Israel Adesanya has claimed arch-rival, Dricus du Plessis and his team rejected an offer to fight him on the pay-per-view card in April.

Adesanya, a former two-time titleholder at the middleweight limit, has been sidelined since he headlined UFC 293 back in September of last year, where he dropped the championship in a shocking upset defeat to Sean Strickland.

The defeat came as Adesanya’s second in his three most recent Octagon walks, while he also set an unwanted record as the first fighter in the promotion’s history to lose a championship twice in the space of a calendar year.

And linked with a championship return against Pretoria native, du Plessis ever since the South African’s ascension to the throne at UFC 297 back in January, Nigerian-Kiwi striker, Adesanya had been linked with a headlining bout atop UFC 300 in April against the newly-minted gold holder.

However, earlier this month, UFC CEO, Dana White confirmed how light heavyweight champion, Alex Pereira – an arch-foe of Adesanya would be headlining the monumental card in a title fight against former gold holder, Jamahal Hill.

Israel Adesanya claims he was set to headline UFC 300

As far as Adesanya is concerned, however, initial plans were set for him to fight du Plessis in the main event of UFC 300, until the latter’s team rejected the bout, according to the former.

“There’s some things that were meant to happen,” Israel Adesanya told Theo Von during a recent interview. “They [the UFC] summoned me – they summoned me – I’m sure this is out there, and Eugene (Bareman) said some stuff. But they summoned me, they summoned me for [UFC] 300. And I was like, ‘Yeah, let’s roll’. But, their side didn’t want it.”

“So I was like, ‘Well, f*ck it, I’m just going to keep’ – yeah, they didn’t want it,” Israel Adesanya explained. “They just fought (Sean) Strickland, so, maybe he [Dricus du Plessis[ had a little niggling injury and stuff. But, hey, we all got niggles and whatnot. But I’ve fought injured for the last how many fights? So, that’s why I took time off, just to let my body heal. And it has healed, and I’m sure there’ll be more injuries – it just happens when you’re training, when you do what we’re doing.

Do you think Israel Adesanya fights Dricus du Plessis this year?

Demetrious Johnson warns Israel Adesanya away from Dricus du Plessis clash: ‘I don’t like that fight for him’

Former undisputed flyweight champion, Demetrious Johnson has warned fellow ex-UFC champion, Israel Adesanya from a much-speculated title fight return…

Former undisputed flyweight champion, Demetrious Johnson has warned fellow ex-UFC champion, Israel Adesanya from a much-speculated title fight return against newly-minted gold holder, Dricus du Plessis later this year – questioning the stylistic matchup for the City Kickboxing staple.

Adesanya, a former two-time undisputed middleweight titleholder, has been sidelined since last September, most recently suffered a championship fight loss to Sean Strickland in a massive upset defeat at UFC 293 in Sydney.

And linked with a stunning comeback overnight, the official Kingdom Arena website listed ticket sales for a June 23. event in Saudi Arabia, appearing to leak a middleweight main event between Adesanya and unbeaten contender, Khamzat Chimaev.

However, amid fervor on social media, UFC boss, Dana White denied that the Nigerian-Kiwi striker was fighting Chimaev on that date in the Middle East, claiming the leak was a “fake post” on the arena’s website.

Israel Adesanya warned of return by Demetrious Johnson

Also tied to a championship grudge match with Pretoria native, du Plessis later this year, Adesanya should avoid a fight with the newly-minted gold holder according to the aforenoted, Johnson – unless he has made significant improvements to his clinch game and grappling arsenal.

“I don’t like that fight [with Dricus du Plessis] for Izzy (Israel Adesanya), because I feel Izzy hasn’t taken enough time,” Demetrious Johnson told MMA Fighting. My question to Izzy would be, ‘Izzy, have you talent he teim to add more tools to your toolset.’ Because, if I was looking at that fight right now, strategically, one of the things Izzy likes to do, he likes to back up. He likes to counter a punch. So, if he likes to counter a punch, DDP does a good job of not overextending.”

“He doesn’t back up,” Johnson explained. “He usually takes the center of the cage and he moves forward, and goes to the center and he goes either southpaw or orthodox.”

Do you want to see Israel Adesanya fight Dricus du Plessis next?

Israel Adesanya set to return amid links to UFC 300 title fight headliner: ‘We answered a call’

Former two-time undisputed middleweight champion, Israel Adesanya is reportedly set to make his return to the Octagon in the…

Former two-time undisputed middleweight champion, Israel Adesanya is reportedly set to make his return to the Octagon in the near future, according to his head coach, Eugene Bareman, with the City Kickboxing staple “answering a call” from the promotion, amid continues links to a UFC 300 headliner against newly-minted champion, Dricus du Plessis.

Adesanya, the current number one ranked middleweight contender, has been sidelined since he headlined UFC 293 back in September, losing his crown for the second time in a calendar year with a upset decision loss to rival, Sean Strickland.

And announcing plans to take a long-time hiatus away from the Octagon, Nigerian-Kiwi striker, Israel Adesanya has since confirmed he is ready to fight again, as he recovers from an undisclosed injury suffered in recent months.

Israel Adesanya set to return soon

However, amid links to a comeback fight atop a massive UFC 300 card in April, Adesanya’s head coach has alluded to a potential return in the very near future, revealing the ex-champion has “answered” the call to fight on a particular date for the organization.

“I can say that, we’re ready to fight,” Eugene Bareman said during an interview with The Mac Life. “Israel (Adesanya) is ready to fight. He’s in camp – has been in camp. And we answered a call that said, ‘Can you be ready for this?’ And we assessed it because Israel is coming off an injury.”

“We assessed everything and put everything together, and decided as a team, yeah, let’s get into camp, and let’s start to get fit. Let’s come back a little earlier, at some risk – at some proper risk.” Bareman explained. “And there’s a strong possibility that this fight could happen on this date. And let’s act as if we’re fighting on this date.”

For du Plessis, the Pretoria native minted himself as the undisputed middleweight champion back in January, beating the aforenoted common-foe, Strickland in a close, split decision win over the defending gold holder.

Do you expect Israel Adesanya to return at UFC 300?