Tag: dricus du plessis

Nate Diaz Throws Shade at Dricus Du Plessis’ Title-Winning Performance Against Sean Strickland at UFC 297

Nate DiazNate Diaz was not impressed with the show that Sean Strickland and Dricus Du Plessis delivered in their UFC…

Nate Diaz

Nate Diaz was not impressed with the show that Sean Strickland and Dricus Du Plessis delivered in their UFC 297 headliner.

Emanating from the mysterious land of Toronto, Canada, Strickland put his middleweight world title on the line for the first time since claiming it with a brilliant performance against Israel Adesanya in September. This time around he was tasked with taking out a South African finisher who has yet to suffer defeat inside the Octagon.

Through five rounds of entertaining action, both fighters lit each other up with strikes and drew blood, but it was Du Plessis who seemed to have the upper hand, mixing up his strikes with a fair amount of grappling that stifled Strickland’s offense at times. Strickland poured it on in the fifth, presumably knowing he may be down on the scorecards, but in the end, it wasn’t enough, and ‘DDP’ was announced as the winner via split decision.

Though most fans were entertained by the evening’s headliner, particularly after the event’s lackluster co-main event, there was one former UFC star who was far from amused.

TUF alumnus Nate Diaz posted a single emoji on social media, summing up his take on Saturday’s title tilt.

Fans React to Nate Diaz’s Assessment of the UFC 297 Headliner

Fight fans on X did not appear to agree with Nate Diaz’s assessment of Strickland vs. Du Plessis, with many of them throwing shade at the aging journeyman.

“Nah cmon that was a great fight”

“way more entertaining than ur last 5 fights bum”

“Get in there one more time”

“We have watched many of your fights and you have had quite a few like this”

“C’mon Nate, that was a good fight”

“Must of been watching your boxing performance against Paul again.”

“Better than you v leon”

“you were never champ journeyman”

“You are just hating bro! Go smoke marijuana and get some sleep brother.”

“you’re washed bro”

After 15 years of competing for the UFC, Nate Diaz walked away from the promotion to pursue some opportunities outside of the Octagon. Less than a year into free agency, the ‘Stockton Samurai’ signed on the dotted line for a boxing match with Jake Paul. Diaz lost the bout via unanimous decision.

He hasn’t booked a return to the ring or the cage as of yet, but recent rumors suggest that Diaz is gearing up for a boxing match with former UFC title challenger Jorge Masvidal under the Gamebred Boxing Banner.

Dricus Du Plessis Ready to ‘Settle The Score’ with Israel Adesanya Following UFC 297 Title Victory

Dricus Du PlessisDricus Du Plessis is your new UFC middleweight champion. Emanating from Scotiabank Arena in Toronto, Ontario, Canada, UFC 297…

Dricus Du Plessis

Dricus Du Plessis is your new UFC middleweight champion.

Emanating from Scotiabank Arena in Toronto, Ontario, Canada, UFC 297 delivered a memorable main-event matchup between defending titleholder Sean Strickland and the South African standout. As things got underway, Strickland lit up ‘DDP’ with his signature jab. The same one that caused a plethora of problems for Israel Adesanya last year. However, Du Plessis fared much better than ‘The Last Stylebender’ by mixing up his attacks on the feet before shooting in for takedowns.

Though ‘Stillknocks’ was unable to keep Strickland on the canvas for long, the threat of the takedown was enough to put the outspoken superstar on his back foot long enough for Du Plessis to take control of the third and fourth rounds. Strickland poured it on in the final five minutes, but by then, it just wasn’t enough.

‘DDP’ walked away with the win and his first UFC title via split decision.

Following the contest, Du Plessis spoke with Daniel Cormier during his post-fight interview where he broke down his performance and what he believes ultimately earned him the 185-pound crown.

“I honestly thought with the takedowns, I made sure on every round,” Du Plessis said of his performance. “I could feel it was a close fight. I felt that he gets up really well. I felt the first three rounds was give and take but those last two rounds I know. I was there for rounds four and five. Who says this guy’s not a five round fighter?

“He has a super, super strong jab. It feels like somebody hits you with a rock. It was imperative that I make him go backwards. If I’m pressuring with this physique, I promise you’re going to get tired. Sean Strickland, you said to death, I tried to kill you in here tonight, didn’t quite get there but you are one hell of a man. Thank you for bringing the best out of me. It was an honor sharing the cage with you.”

Before exiting the Octagon to go celebrate with his family, Du Plessis called out Israel Adesanya.

“Israel Adesanya, get your ass back in the UFC so we can settle the score,” Du Plessis shouted while addressing the former middleweight champion.

Following Du Plessis’ second-round knockout of Robert Whittaker in July, Adesanya entered the cage for an intense face-off with ‘Stillknocks’ that quickly became uncomfortable. ‘DDP’ was slated to fight the ‘Stylebender’ in September 2023, but the eight-week turnaround was too soon for Du Plessis to accept the fight, paving the way for Strickland to step in and shock the world.

With ‘DDP’ now carrying the gold, we could finally see Du Plessis and Adesanya settle their issues inside the Octagon.

Khamzat Chimaev Reacts to Dricus Du Plessis’ Middleweight Title Win at UFC 297: ‘It’s My Time Now’

Khamzat Chimaev and Dricus Du PlessisIt didn’t take long for Khamzat Chimaev to chime in following the arrival of a new middleweight world champion….

Khamzat Chimaev and Dricus Du Plessis

It didn’t take long for Khamzat Chimaev to chime in following the arrival of a new middleweight world champion.

On Saturday night, Dricus Du Plessis scored the biggest win of his mixed martial arts career, earning a split decision victory over Sean Strickland to claim the 185-pound title at UFC 297 in Toronto. As is the case every time we are presented with a new UFC champion, fight fans online immediately begin to ask the question — what’s next?

It’s a query entirely too early for anyone to answer, but if things go his way, Khamzat Chimaev will be the first man to challenge ‘Stillknocks’ for his shiny new chunk of gold. ‘Borz’ took to social media moments after Du Plessis’ hand was raised, suggesting that a fight between the two should go down at the promotion’s next landmark event on April 13.

Chimaev followed that up with a short video putting the new middleweight titleholder on notice.

Is Khamzat Chimaev Next in Line?

Khamzat Chimaev’s last appearance inside the Octagon came in October when the promotion returned to Abu Dhabi for UFC 294. Originally scheduled to face Paulo Costa, ‘Borz’ instead squared off with short-notice replacement opponent Kamaru Usman. Chimaev walked away with a majority decision victory against the former welterweight champ. That extended his undefeated record to 13-0 and had him once again calling for a title opportunity.

With UFC 300 less than three months away, it’s unlikely that the Dricus Du Plessis will be willing to make the quick turnaround for such a fight. Unless, of course, the UFC backs up a dump truck full of cash to his front door.

The likelier scenario is that ‘DDP’ will put his title on the line against Israel Adesanya when ‘The Last Stylebender’ makes his return to the Octagon, rumored to be sometime in the summer of 2024. But as we all already know, anything is possible in MMA.

Does Khamzat Chimaev deserve the first shot at Du Plessis’ middleweight title, or is ‘DDP’ vs. Adesanya the fight to make?

Dricus Du Plessis Outworks Sean Strickland, Captures Middleweight Title via Split Decision – UFC 297 Highlights

Dricus Du PlessisThe UFC has a new middleweight world champion and his name is Dricus Du Plessis. After scoring six straight…

Dricus Du Plessis

The UFC has a new middleweight world champion and his name is Dricus Du Plessis.

After scoring six straight victories, ‘Stillknocks’ stepped into his first main event at UFC 297 on Saturday night against the promotion’s unlikely 185-pound king, Sean Strickland. As expected, Strickland put his jab on display early, lighting up Du Plessis in the opening round and causing some damage to the South African’s left eye. Strickland also did a fantastic job of checking the all-important leg kicks that ‘DDP’ often uses to set up his brutal body attacks.

Needing to make some adjustments in the second stanza, Du Plessis put his wrestling skills to use, dragging Strickland down to the canvas multiple times. Though ‘DDP’ was unable to keep Strickland on the canvas for long, it appeared to be sapping the champ’s energy as the fight moved into the later rounds.

Strickland turned up the heat in the fifth and final round, but not before giving up the third and fourth rounds to Du Plessis on two of the three judges’ scorecards. That ultimately made all the difference after the 25-minute affair was in the books.

Official Result: Dricus Du Plessis def. Sean Strickland via split decision (48-47, 47-48, 48-47) to win the UFC middleweight world championship.

Interestingly, fight fans on Verdict were not entirely in agreement with the judges, favoring Strickland by the narrowest of margins.

Check Out Highlights From Sean Strickland vs. Dricus Du Plessis at UFC 297:

Alex Pereira Responds to Dricus Du Plessis’ Call-Out Ahead of UFC 297: ‘You Have to Listen’

Alex Pereira and Dricus Du PlessisDricus Du Plessis’ interest in fighting Alex Pereira has unsurprisingly prompted a response from the reigning light heavyweight champion….

Alex Pereira and Dricus Du Plessis

Dricus Du Plessis’ interest in fighting Alex Pereira has unsurprisingly prompted a response from the reigning light heavyweight champion.

Hours ahead of his highly anticipated title tilt with middleweight king Sean Strickland at UFC 297, Du Plessis opened the door for a potential move to 205 should he leave Toronto with gold wrapped around his waist on Saturday night.

“One hundred percent,” Du Plessis replied when asked about moving up to challenge Pereira at the UFC 297 pre-fight press conference. “After this, I have a whole division to take care of before I start thinking about him. But I’m taking care of that division and whether it’s him or someone else, after this division, that’s the one I’m after” (h/t Yahoo! Sports).

Pereira, who was front and center during Friday’s press event, offered up his response to Du Plessis’ comments during an interview with Full Send MMA.

“He spoke, so you have to listen,” Pereira said. “But I think that’s far from happening, so it’s just talk for now.”

Alex Pereira Will Be Rooting for Sean Strickland in The Great White North

Two months removed from his highlight-reel-worthy knockout of Jiri Prochazka to claim the light heavyweight title, Alex Pereira will be in attendance at UFC 297 to cheer on his friend and former opponent, Sean Strickland.

“The relationship I have with him, it’s good,” Pereira said of Strickland. “He’s not a great friend because I don’t speak English. If I spoke English, maybe we’d speak more. We trained together after our fight. He’s a fun, cool guy, and I’m here supporting him for this fight.”

In July 2022, Strickland stepped inside the Octagon with Pereira determined to stop the Brazilian’s hype in its tracks. Instead, ‘Poatan’ uncorked a vicious left hook nearly the halfway point of the opening round that put Strickland down for the count. Pereira claimed the middleweight crown in his next fight.

Drake slaps eye-Watering $700,000 bet on Sean Strickland to beat Dricus du Plessis in UFC 297 title grudge fight

Drake places $700,000 bet on Sean Strickland to beat Dricus du Plessis at UFC 297Canadian rapper and songwriter, Drake has once more continued in his recent vein of high-profile betting ahead of a…

Drake places $700,000 bet on Sean Strickland to beat Dricus du Plessis at UFC 297

Canadian rapper and songwriter, Drake has once more continued in his recent vein of high-profile betting ahead of a massive Octagon landing – this time placing a staggering $700,000 wager on Sean Strickland to beat Dricus du Plessis at UFC 297 tonight – having previously betted against the newly-crowned champion last September. 

Drake, who landed a reported payout in excess of $1,000,000 back in December after betting on welterweight champion, Leon Edwards to defeat former interim titleholder, Colby Covington at UFC 296, has turned those winnings into another high-profile wager.

Losing half a million back in September whilst betting on UFC 293, Drake incorrectly predicted a victory for former two-time middleweight champion, Israel Adesanya in Australia, with the above-mentioned, Strickland upsetting the apple cart and the bookmakers with his stunning unanimous decision upset victory.

Drake places $700,000 bet on Sean Strickland to win at UFC 297

However, tonight, in his home town, Drake has bet a staggering $700,000 bet on Sean Strickland to beat incoming title challenger, promotional-perfect contender, du Plessis – with a successful flutter set to net the Canadian just shy of $1,400,000 in returns. 

Attempting to lodge his first successful defense of the middleweight title tonight in Toronto, Strickland meets Pretoria native, du Plessis – who is riding what many have described as a surprising underdog line ahead of UFC 297.

In the midst of perfect run since his UFC landing back in 2020, last July during International Fight Week, du Plessis turned in a stunning second round TKO win over former undisputed middleweight champion, Robert Whittaker in the pair’s officially billed title-eliminator in Las Vegas, Nevada. 

And in a chilling warning at last night’s ceremonial weigh-ins, former EFC and KSW championship winner, du Plessi claimed that Strickland – who called for a death fight with himself at UFC 297, will see his wish granted in ‘The Great White North’. 

Who wins at UFC 297 tonight: Sean Strickland or Dricus du Plessis?