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UFC 297 Title Challenger Dricus Du Plessis Lunges at Sean Strickland During Final Face-Off

Sean Strickland and Dricus Du Plessis weigh-in Dricus Du Plessis couldn’t wait to get up close and personal with Sean Strickland during their final face-off. On…

Dricus Du Plessis couldn’t wait to get up close and personal with Sean Strickland during their final face-off.

On Saturday night, January 20, ‘Stillknocks’ will look to end Strickland’s reign at the top of the middleweight division early as the two sensational strikers square off in the highly anticipated UFC 297 headliner. Last month, things reached a boiling point between the fighters when ‘DDP’ made some disparaging remarks about Strickland’s traumatic upbringing. 24 hours later, ‘Tarzan’ lept over a row of seats and attacked Du Plessis inside T-Mobile Arena as UFC 296 unfolded in front of them.

Since then, Strickland and Du Plessis have seemingly buried the hatchet with the 185-pound king suggesting that he has nothing, but respect for his opponent despite threatening to stab him at one point.

During their final face-to-face encounter ahead of fight night, Du Plessis could barely contain himself and practically lunged at Strickland, forcing security to briefly step in and ensure there was no repeat of last month’s insanity.

STRICKLAND vs DU PLESSIS! #UFC297 is LIVE TOMORROW on @ESPNPlus PPV! pic.twitter.com/bfkzZ6o1b0

— danawhite (@danawhite) January 19, 2024

“I ain’t got no predictions, but like they say, be careful what you wish for,” Du Plessis told Jon Anik at the ceremonial weigh-ins. “He asked for it. Your wish has been granted, my friend.

DDP’ goes into his first UFC title opportunity riding an eight-streak with six of those wins coming inside the Octagon. Du Plessis earned his shot with a brutal second-round knockout of former champion Robert Whittaker at UFC 290 in July.

As for Sean Strickland, the unlikely middleweight king will defend his title for the first time since stunning fans around the world with a dominant five-round performance against two-time titleholder Israel Adesanya last year. Strickland has already made a name for himself thanks to his outspoken nature and sometimes vile commentaries that have redefined love-hate relationships for fight fans.

Next, he’ll look to build his legacy as one of the promotion’s all-time great 185-pounders and it all starts in Toronto, Ontario, Canada.

Watch the full UFC 297 ceremonial weigh-ins below:

Sean Strickland Buries the Hatchet with Dricus Du Plessis, Blames ‘Cuck’ Sean O’Malley for Bad Blood

Sean Strickland attacked Dricus Du Plessis in the stands at UFC 296 last month and has since threatened to…

Sean Strickland attacked Dricus Du Plessis in the stands at UFC 296 last month and has since threatened to stab him, but the reigning middleweight titleholder wants you to know that it’s nothing personal.

According to Strickland, the rift that had him throwing hands with his South African opposition last month rests squarely on the shoulders of UFC bantamweight champion Sean O’Malley. During the trio’s appearance at the promotion’s seasonal press event in December, ‘Sugar’ threw some shade at Strickland by bringing up his troubled childhood.

UFC champs Sean Strickland and Sean O'Malley got into it at the press conference. pic.twitter.com/PinqkrkijB

— MMA Junkie (@MMAJunkie) December 16, 2023

Following O’Malley’s lead, Du Plessis further targeted Strickland’s traumatic past, bringing things to a boiling point that eventually spilled over into the crowd inside T-Mobile Arena 24 hours later.

“Here’s the thing, it was never f*cking personal,” Strickland said during the UFC 297 press conference. “You had the cuck Sean O’Malley say some stupid sh*t he knows nothing about. I go hard on everybody. You don’t think I deserve some sh*t? I go hard on all you motherf*ckers. I’m proud of the motherf*cker. You don’t see me lose character often, this motherf*cker got me there” (h/t MMA Mania).

Sean Strickland Promises Fight Fans a ‘War’

It’s certainly not the first time Du Plessis has found himself in a heated confrontation with a UFC champion. Following his impressive second-round KO of Robert Whittaker in July, then-champion Israel Adesanya entered the cage for a racially-charged staredown that had fight fans chomping at the bit to see them square off inside the Octagon.

Strickland spoiled those plans with his dominant decision victory over ‘The Last Stylebender’ two months later, but ‘Tarzan’ has promised fans a bloody brawl in the UFC 297 headliner.

“Here’s the thing about Dricus, he ain’t f*cking Izzy — Dricus likes to fight,” Strickland continued. “He likes to fight and he’s a hell of a fight. Do you know what that means? We’re going to be d*ck to d*ck, nipple to nipple in that range f*cking fighting. I hope after we’re done, win or lose, we’re f*cking bloody and we put on a show for you f*cking guys. Applaud him and encourage him. Because we want a f*cking war!”

UFC 297 goes down on January 20 at Scotiabank Arena in Toronto, Canada. The winner of Strickland vs. Du Plessis may find themselves tasked with taking on former two-time titleholder Israel Adesanya, who will be sitting cageside for Saturday’s festivities.

Dricus Du Plessis Eyes Future Title Clash with Alex Pereira Once He Takes Care of Business at Middleweight

Dricus Du Plessis would be happy to step inside the Octagon with light heavyweight champion Alex Pereira after taking…

Dricus Du Plessis would be happy to step inside the Octagon with light heavyweight champion Alex Pereira after taking care of a bit of business at middleweight.

Emanating from Scotiabank Arena in Toronto, Du Plessis will step into the main event spotlight at UFC 297 determined to cut short the reign of reigning middleweight king Sean Strickland. Hours ahead of their highly anticipated title tilt, Du Plessis and Strickland made an appearance at a pre-fight press event on Thursday. Also in attendance was 205-pound champ Alex Pereira.

With Pereira’s presence looming large at the media scrum, reporters were curious to know if either Strickland or Du Plessis would be interested in challenging ‘Poatan’ should they come out on top on January 20.

Strickland, who already carries a first-round knockout loss to Pereira on his resume, was unusually quiet, but ‘Stillknocks’ happily chimed in.

“100% [I would challenge Pereira],” Du Plessis declared. “100% – after this I have a whole division to take care of before I start thinking of that… Whether it’s him, whether it’s someone else I don’t care. After this division, that’s what I’m after.”

Strickland was quick to retort, “Alex, after I put him away you can put him away next. Don’t worry, we got you Dricus.”

As of this writing, Sean Strickland is listed as a slight favorite to retain his title at UFC 297, sitting at a -115 on DraftKings. Du Plessis is a -105 at the moment with the anticipated line movement expected to make the fight essentially a pick’em by the time they make their walks to the Octagon on Saturday night.

Video – Sean Strickland shares surprising embrace with Dricus du Plessis ahead of UFC 297 title fight: ‘Best of luck’

Revealing plans earlier this week to “stab” incoming title challenger, Dricus du Plessis if the South African elected to…

Revealing plans earlier this week to “stab” incoming title challenger, Dricus du Plessis if the South African elected to target his childhood trauma ahead of their UFC 297 championship clash, middleweight titleholder, Sean Strickland shared a cordial – and surprising embrace with the Pretoria native during an encounter in Canada.

Strickland, the current undisputed middleweight champion, is slated to headline UFC 297 this weekend in Canada, taking on surging promotional-perfect challenger, du Plessis in a title clash atop the promotion’s return to ‘The Great White North’.

Winning gold at UFC 293 back in September of last year in Australia, outspoken champion, Sean Strickland landed a stunning upset win over Israel Adesanya, defeating the former two-time gold holder with a unanimous judging win.

As for du Plessis, the surging challenger has been sidelined since he landed a stunning second round TKO win over former titleholder, Robert Whittaker at UFC 290 back in July during International Fight Week.

However, last month, Sean Strickland and Dricus du Plessis were engaging in a tense brawl on fighter row ahead during UFC 296, with the former claiming he bit du Plessis during the fracas, before UFC officials and security corralled the duo.

Claiming he would “stab” du Plessis if the former goaded him for his childhood trauma and issues with his late father this week, Sean Strickland claimed also that he would likely go to jail openly if he got involved physically with the South African during Thursday’s press conference or Friday’s weigh-ins.

Sean Strickland hugs it out with Dricus du Plessis ahead of UFC 297

However, in a surprise cordial encounter today in Canada, Strickland ran into du Plessis and his girlfriend – with the hugging during an embrace, and shaking hands – before both of them wished each other well and best of luck ahead of Saturday’s title fight.

Israel Adesanya picks Dricus du Plessis to beat Sean Strickland at UFC 297: ‘Does it go the distance? No’

Former two-time undisputed middleweight champion, Israel Adesanya will surely have a keen eye on proceedings at UFC 297 this…

Former two-time undisputed middleweight champion, Israel Adesanya will surely have a keen eye on proceedings at UFC 297 this weekend, and has made a bold prediction that arch-rival, Dricus du Plessis will not just beat – but finish soon-to-be common-opponent, Sean Strickland in Canada.

Adesanya, a former two-time undisputed middleweight titleholder, has been sidelined since he headlined UFC 293 back in September in Australia, dropping his championship belt in a unanimous decision loss to Strickland – with the bout coming as one of the biggest upsets in recent Octagon memory.

As for South African challenger, du Plessis, the Pretoria native has been sidelined since he earned his championship tilt off the back of a stunning second round TKO win over former champion, Robert Whittaker at UFC 290 back in July during International Fight Week.

Israel Adesanya picks Dricus du Plessis to win title at UFC 297

And weighing up the option of fighting Adesanya in his immediate future ahead of UFC 297, promotional-perfect contender, du Plessis has been picked to emerge with the middleweight title in tow by Adesanya.

“I’m gonna go with Dricus [du Plessis] (to beat Sean Strickland at UFC 297), “Israel Adesanya said on his YouTube channel. “Does it go the distance? I’m gonna say no. Not that I don’t respect Sean (Strickland) or his skills, the guy beat me, so, of course I respect his skills.”

Himself sidelined through an undisclosed injury in the time since his championship fight loss to Strickland, Adesanya claimed he would not be able to return to training full time until potentially the end of February – amid continued links to a return to the Octagon at UFC 300 in April.

Do you agree with Israel Adesanya’s prediction for the UFC 297 main event?

Sean Strickland warns Dricus du Plessis against mentioning childhood trauma ahead of UFC 297 fight: ‘I’ll stab you’

Reigning UFC middleweight champion Sean Strickland threatens to stab upcoming opponent, Dricus Du Plessis, after the South African’s comments…

Reigning UFC middleweight champion Sean Strickland threatens to stab upcoming opponent, Dricus Du Plessis, after the South African’s comments at a UFC 297 press conference.

Strickland is now under a week away from his first title defence and will take on Du Plessis who has gone 6-0 with the promotion since debuting in 2020. The fight always seemed like it had the potential to be a fun one conserving the pair’s willingness to exchange on the feet, but after a heated press conference and subsequent scuffle, there is some real heat heading into this one.

Strickland has been open regarding abuse he suffered as a child, Du Plessis would then use this as ammunition against the 32-year-old at a press conference.

“Bro, why are you so angry? Du Plessis asked. You think your dad beat the shit out of you? Your dad doesn’t have shit on me. I’m going to show you what it’s like to get beaten. Every childhood memory you have is going to come back.”

This clearly rattled Sean Strickland who became extremely animated before calling Du Plessis a homophobic slur. After some unfortunate Strickland would leap at Du Plessis before striking him multiple times.

Sean Strickland doubles down ahead of UFC 297

Strickland often says outrageous things, often personally attacking other fighters, using language that many would consider to be homophobic or misogynistic. However, rather hypocritically, Sean Strickland now claims that Du Plessis crossed the line with his comments and is clearly still very upset.

Talking on his YouTube alongside fellow UFC fighter Chris Curtis, Strickland said that he messaged Du Plessis after the incident and said that if he talked about Strickland’s abuse again, he would stab him.

“Remember when I attacked Dricus? I actually sent him a message,” Sean Strickland said on his YouTube channel. “‘Dude listen, Dricus, we’re gonna go try to murder each other, but if you bring that sh*t up again, I will (expletive) stab you. Press conference, weigh-in… he was cool about it. I’m not telling you I don’t wanna fight you, Dricus, I’m not saying you’re not a good fighter. I’m just saying that’s a line that when crossed, it transcends fighting. If I go to Canada and you bring that up, guess what? I’m gonna go to jail, they’re gonna deport me and we spent eight weeks of training for no (expletive) reason.”

What do you make of the situation between Sean Strickland and Dricus Du Plessis?