Sean Strickland remains adamant that an illegal headbutt is what changed the trajectory of his UFC 297 title tilt…
Sean Strickland remains adamant that an illegal headbutt is what changed the trajectory of his UFC 297 title tilt with Dricus Du Plessis.
After 25 minutes of entertaining action, Strickland came up short on two of the three scorecards, surrendering his middleweight title four months after his shocking upset of Israel Adesanya in September. Like the judges, practically everyone who watched the fight was split on the outcome, including UFC CEO Dana White and Joe Rogan who both suggested that Strickland had done enough to leave Toronto with his title intact.
The stats certainly make a case for Strickland as he outlanded Du Plessis 183 to 140 in significant strikes. Those who agreed with the decision cited the six takedowns from ‘Stillknocks’ as being the difference-maker, but ‘DDP’ was only able to muster up two minutes of control time and zero strikes on the ground.
Does Sean Strickland Have a Legitimate Case For an immediate rematch?
However, if that’s not convincing enough, perhaps an illegal headbutt will have you rethinking the outcome. Taking to social media, ‘Tarzan’ showed off a nasty cut he sustained in the main event. He also presented some pretty compelling evidence to suggest that the course-changing injury came as the result of a clash of heads against the fence.
“We all know I won,” Strickland wrote on X. “The only reason why it wasn’t one sided for 5 rounds is the headbutt took my eye….. Wasn’t touched till the blood took my vision..”
We all know I won… The only reason why it wasn't one sided for 5 rounds is the headbutt took my eye….. Wasn't touched till the blood took my vision.. pic.twitter.com/CLvcURLzWT
Strickland has an undeniably strong case for an immediate rematch. Unfortunately, it looks as though the UFC will be looking to book Israel Adesanya for Du Plessis’ first defense.
“I’m really enjoying this,” Du Plessis said when asked how winning the championship felt in a post-fight interview. “I would love… There’s another guy who tried to take my shine. He lost his shine. Now I have your shine. Didn’t get into the cage tonight, but Israel Adesanya, get your ass back to the UFC so we could settle the score.
With UFC 297 emanating from his hometown of Toronto, Canada, it’s no surprise that the Grammy Award winner dropped another massive bet on the night’s biggest fight. Via his social media channels, Drake revealed that he threw down $700k on defending champion Sean Strickland to leave The Great White North with his title intact.
Drake bet $700K on Sean Strickland to beat Dricus Du Plessis tonight
After 25 entertaining minutes of action, Dricus Du Plessis was announced as the winner via split decision, marking another massive loss for Drake. Of course, it hasn’t been all bad for the singer/songwriter. ‘Drizzy’ made a whopping $1.38 million after wagering $1 million on Gervonta ‘Tank’ Davis to defeat Ryan Garcia last year. He also scored over $2.7 million in winnings after betting that Adesanya would not only avenge his UFC 281 loss to Pereira but that he would get it done by knockout in their UFC 287 rematch.
However, he lost $500k betting on Israel Adesanya to KO Sean Strickland during their UFC 293 clash in September. Still, by our calculations, Drake is playing with house money.
As for the new UFC middleweight world champion, Dricus Du Plessis has a plethora of options for his first title defense. The likeliest scenario has him squaring off with Israel Adesanya following the pair’s heated face-to-face encounter inside the Octagon in July. Khamzat Chimaev is another possibility, but UFC CEO Dana White seemingly ruled out the notion of an immediate rematch between ‘DDP’ and Strickland even though he felt Strickland did enough to walk away the winner on Saturday night.
Unbeaten middleweight berserker, Khamzat Chimaev remains a significant betting favorite to hold the divisional crown at the end of…
Unbeaten middleweight berserker, Khamzat Chimaev remains a significant betting favorite to hold the divisional crown at the end of the year – despite Dricus du Plessis’ championship win at UFC 297 over the weekend against Sean Strickland in Canada.
Chimaev, the current number nine ranked middleweight contender, improved to 13-0 as a professional back in October of last year at UFC 294, landing a close, majority decision win over former undisputed welterweight champion, Kamaru Usman over the course of three rounds.
Striking middleweight gold at UFC 297 over the course of the weekend in ‘The Great White North’, promotional-perfect contender, du Plessis landed a close split decision win of his own over defending champion, Strickland – achieving Octagon spoils for the first time in his four year tenure in the promotion.
Khamzat Chimaev betting favorite to hold title at end of 2024
And despite his victory, du Plessis is currently behind the undefeated, Chimaev on the betting lines to hold the undisputed middleweight champion at the end of 2024 – drawing odds of +150 – with the unbeaten Chechen currently boasting odds of +100 to hold gold at the end of the year.
Markets globally are offering not just outright odds on the winner of bouts, but a host of the best offshore betting offers interesting prop wagers and bets – including the chances of certain fighters winning titles, or even holding them at the end of December this year.
And taking in the night’s action in Toronto, Khamzat Chimaev called for an immediate championship fight with du Plessis, warning him against running from his challenge, however, has been once more rebuffed by the South African gold holder.
“Who takes that guy [Khamzat Chimaev] seriously?” Dricus du Plessis questioned assembled media after UFC 297.
Appearing to favor a potential fight with former two-time middleweight titleholder, Israel Adesanya in an immediate grudge fight – as soon as UFC 300 in April, Chimaev has also been linked with a fight against the City Kickboxing maestro, however, is still recovering from a recent surgical procedure to address a hand ligament injury suffered against Usman – as well as a mysterious illness he contracted following the bout.
Boasting odds of +300, Adesanya sits slightly higher than the uber-prospect, Bo Nickal – who beats out the likes of former champion, Sean Strickland, as well as Ikram Aliskerov, as well as Robert Whittaker – and former kingpin, Alex Pereira, with odds of +4,500 falling beside the Brazilian.
Slated to make his comeback at UFC 299 in March, Nickal, who has landed dominant stoppages in his Octagon debut and sophomore outing, is set to take on Cody Brundage in a main card slot on the flagship return to ‘The Sunshine State’ later this year – holding odds currently of +550 to hold the middleweight belt at the end of the year.
And speaking of former champion, Pereira, the GLORY Kickboxing Hall of Fame inductee has already flirted with the potential of a future fight with the newly-minted, du Plessis in a bid to avenge training partner, Strickland – claiming he would be open to one final “rodeo” at the middleweight limit.
Pereira’s claims come hot on the heels of aspirations of two-weight coronation for Pretoria favorite, du Plessis, who claimed he would make the light heavyweight limit for the chance of taking out Pereira in a championship pairing in the immediate aftermath, should he defeat Strickland at UFC 297.
Knocked back in his pursuit of his first title tilt since his move to the UFC from Middle Eastern promotion, Brave CF back in 2020, AllStars MMA staple, Khamzat Chimaev has gone on a run recently of calling out any and all newly-crowned champions – from the likes of Pereira, du Plessis, and welterweight kingpin, Leon Edwards.
Just last week, Chimaev also labelled a potential bout with heavyweight best, Jon Jones a “dream” bout for him – in a bid to get revenge for Swedish veteran and teammate, Alexander Gustafsson in the future – with Jones quickly knocking back the former’s advances.
However, despite du Plessis’ reluctance to offer Khamzat Chimaev a crack at his newly-minted championship off the back of UFC 297, the Chechen contender – who has been urged to land more notable victories within succession without so much time away from the Octagon, is riding the shortest line to hold the middleweight strap come the conclusion of 2024 – in what could prove to be a massive year ahead for one of the promotion’s most dominant recent performers.
After capturing middleweight gold at UFC 297, Dricus Du Plessis was completely overcome with joy. It had been a…
After capturing middleweight gold at UFC 297, Dricus Du Plessis was completely overcome with joy. It had been a long road for the man, and the world saw before their eyes somebody who had just accomplished a long-awaited goal.
For Du Plessis, much can be said about the pressure he exerted upon Strickland during the fight. He also came into the match with a chip on his shoulder, as fans and media claimed Du Plessis’ cardio couldn’t last into the championship rounds. Not only did ‘Stillknocks’ prove them wrong, but he and Strickland put on a show for the fans while doing it.
Now 8-0 in the UFC, Dricus Du Plessis seemingly has his pick of the litter. On the microphone during his post-fight interview, he called out the former champion Israel Adesanya. However, many notable fighters such as Khamzat Chimaev and Paulo Costa are chomping at the bit for a title fight with him as well.
Dricus Du Plessis celebrates his victory in style While the World Wonders: Who’s Next?
After the battle, Dricus Du Plessis seemed to have a hankering for some beer and croissants. He seemed to have gotten what he wanted and posted a photo to Instagram to let fans across the world see him celebrate his success with a literal breakfast of champions.
“This is Africa,” the newly crowned champion wrote. “We fear nothing, and certainly no one!! Thank you, South Africa. It’s an honor representing our beautiful nation.”
History has been made! Thank you to everyone who believed n me and the incredible support. Those who didn’t… well that makes you look like a dumbass! pic.twitter.com/F5VUwOZVZo
While the post may have served as heartwarming content, It still doesn’t decide the future, and many fans seem conflicted about what opponent could make for a compelling fight. Du Plessis said himself during his post-fight interview that he wanted Adesanya next, but that’s certainly not set in stone.
A fight with Khamzat Chimaev would certainly generate an absurd amount of hype, but many fans also believe the young Chechen-born Swede is simply not ready for a title fight yet. Costa is throwing his name in the mix, but he sadly has more fight cancellations than actual fights these last few years.
A Sean Strickland rematch is also a possibility, but then again, many saw the fight as a convincing victory for Du Plessis and don’t feel like Strickland has much to offer in a potential rematch.
Who do you think Dricus Du Plessis will defend his title against?
Failing to attend the festivities at the Scotiabank Arena in Canada over the weekend, former two-time middleweight champion, Israel…
Failing to attend the festivities at the Scotiabank Arena in Canada over the weekend, former two-time middleweight champion, Israel Adesanya was not shy in his mocking on past rival, Sean Strickland’s championship loss to Dricus du Plessis at UFC 297 – with his friends scoffing at the Claifornian’s short-lived title run.
Adesanya, a former two-time undisputed middleweight titleholder, has been sidelined since he headlined UFC 293 back in September of last year against Strickland, suffering a stunning unanimous decision loss to the now-former champion, which included a massive knockdown early in the fight.
And linked with a comeback fight against a slew of opponents in a hasty return at UFC 300 in April, City Kickboxing staple, Adesanya received a call out from newly-crowned gold holder, du Plessis in the immediate aftermath of UFC 297 – in a bid to settle their differences inside the Octatgon
“IS~RA~EL ADESANYA,” Israel Adesanya posted on his official X account. “This arc in my story was written long ago. Our paths are destined to cross again. Stay tuned for the next episode, thanks for watching. We Write History.”
IS~RA~EL ADÉSÀNYÀ This arc in my story was written long ago. Our paths are destined to cross again. Stay tuned for the next episode, thanks for watching. We Write History pic.twitter.com/c5EHGWBjlL
Failing to attend the festivities at the Scotiabank Arena in Canada over the weekend, former two-time middleweight champion, Israel…
Failing to attend the festivities at the Scotiabank Arena in Canada over the weekend, former two-time middleweight champion, Israel Adesanya was not shy in his mocking on past rival, Sean Strickland’s championship loss to Dricus du Plessis at UFC 297 – with his friends scoffing at the Claifornian’s short-lived title run.
Adesanya, a former two-time undisputed middleweight titleholder, has been sidelined since he headlined UFC 293 back in September of last year against Strickland, suffering a stunning unanimous decision loss to the now-former champion, which included a massive knockdown early in the fight.
And linked with a comeback fight against a slew of opponents in a hasty return at UFC 300 in April, City Kickboxing staple, Adesanya received a call out from newly-crowned gold holder, du Plessis in the immediate aftermath of UFC 297 – in a bid to settle their differences inside the Octatgon
“IS~RA~EL ADESANYA,” Israel Adesanya posted on his official X account. “This arc in my story was written long ago. Our paths are destined to cross again. Stay tuned for the next episode, thanks for watching. We Write History.”
IS~RA~EL ADÉSÀNYÀ This arc in my story was written long ago. Our paths are destined to cross again. Stay tuned for the next episode, thanks for watching. We Write History pic.twitter.com/c5EHGWBjlL
MMA’s infamous ‘Drake Curse‘ has struck again. With UFC 297 emanating from his hometown of Toronto, Canada, it’s no…
Unbeaten middleweight berserker, Khamzat Chimaev remains a significant betting favorite to hold the divisional crown at the end of…
After capturing middleweight gold at UFC 297, Dricus Du Plessis was completely overcome with joy. It had been a…
Failing to attend the festivities at the Scotiabank Arena in Canada over the weekend, former two-time middleweight champion, Israel…
IS~RA~EL 
ADÉSÀNYÀ
