Tag: dricus du plessis

Israel Adesanya urged to make UFC return in fight against Dricus du Plessis: ‘That build up was gonna be insane’

Israel Adesanya urged to fight Dricus du Plessis in UFC return that build up was gonna be insaneFormer two-time middleweight champion, Israel Adesanya has been urged to chase a fight with incoming title challenger, Dricus du…

Israel Adesanya urged to fight Dricus du Plessis in UFC return that build up was gonna be insane

Former two-time middleweight champion, Israel Adesanya has been urged to chase a fight with incoming title challenger, Dricus du Plessis in his return to the Octagon by former two-weight UFC gold holder, Daniel Cormier, pointing to a perceived massive build up to an eventual pairing.

Adesanya, a former undisputed middleweight titleholder twice during his gold laden Octagon tenure, has been sidelined since he dropped gold back in September in an upset unanimous decision loss to Sean Strickland at UFC 293 in Australia.

And initially claiming he is set to remain sidelined until 2027 at the very earliest, Adesanya has now revealed he is planning a return to the Octagon in the not too distant future, amid claims from Chael Sonnen that the City Kickboxing staple should make it his business to feature at UFC 300 next April.

Israel Adesanya has been backed to fight Dricus du Plessis next

According to the above-mentioned Hall of Fame inductee, Cormier, Adesanya should also make sure he stands opposite du Plessis next – particularly if the South African beats soon-to-be common-foe, Strickland this month at UFC 297.

“That build was gonna be so crazy,” Daniel Cormier said on his official YouTube channel. “So, if you watch (Sean) Strickland fight (Dricus) du Plessis in January, you still preserve that match up regardless for (Israel) Adesanya, right? du Plessis wins, title fight for Adesanya. Build the whole thing. du Plessis loses, fight versus Adesanya, build that whole thing. You save that matchup regardless, because if you put in there with Khamzat (Chimaev), it’s a great fight.”

“It makes all the sense in the world, it would seem like a number one contender fight, but if Khamzat gets through him (Israel Adesanya), now you might lose that fight with du Plessis if he wins,” Cormier continued. “Save du Plessis-Adesanya at all costs.” 

Who wins in a future title pairing: Israel Adesanya or Dricus du Plessis?

Sean Strickland is overcome with emotion while reflecting on his childhood: ‘I stopped believing in god’

Sean StricklandJust because Sean Strickland rocks, it doesn’t mean he’s made of stone. If toxic masculinity had a face, it…

Sean Strickland

Just because Sean Strickland rocks, it doesn’t mean he’s made of stone.

If toxic masculinity had a face, it would be Sean Strickland’s. But underneath that incredibly tough exterior is a flesh-and-blood human being attempting to navigate life after overcoming an overwhelming amount of trauma. And whether you love him or hate him, you have to appreciate how open the reigning middleweight world champion has been with fans regarding his rocky upbringing and the strained relationship with his father.

Unfortunately, putting all of that information out there makes it that much easier for someone to weaponize it. That’s exactly what happened at the UFC Seasonal Press Conference last month in Las Vegas. Going face-to-face with his first title challenger, Dricus Du Plessis, ‘Stillknocks’ decided to deliver a low blow by making an ill-advised crack about Strickland’s childhood struggles.

The comment kicked off a fiery exchange between the two which turned physical 24 hours later when they were seated near one another during UFC 296.

Sean Strickland lets his guard down

Sean Strickland has since revealed that during an appearance on Theo Von’s This Past Weekend podcast shortly after the incident, he was overwhelmed with emotion while reflecting on a moment from his childhood.

The episode was officially released on January 1, 2024.

“In second grade, I kept falling asleep at my desk and my teacher took my desk away from me,” Strickland said. “She made me stand up and so, me, I’m like, ‘F*ck you’ and being this little kid, I just went and fell asleep on the ground. Mind you like, the school system’s like, ‘Oh, Sean, he’s just a bad kid.’ They don’t realize I’m up until three o’clock in the morning.

“I remember laying in bed, I remember when I stopped believing in god, man,” he continued. “Like, f*ck. I have f*cking … it’s crazy sh*t, dude. Crazy sh*t, man (laughs)” (h/t MMA Mania).

Von began to tell his own story after Strickland was done speaking but he was quick to apologize as the champ was noticeably “just processing,” as he’s heard saying.

“I think that’s one of the hard things people don’t understand about trauma, you know?” Strickland added.

Sean Strickland is coming off his best year yet in combat sports, earning three straight wins, none bigger than his lopsided unanimous decision victory over Israel Adesanya in September to claim the 185-pound crown. He’ll put that title on the line for the first time on January 20 when he headlines UFC 297 in Toronto against No. 2 ranked contender Dricus Du Plessis.

‘Stillknocks’ goes into the bout riding an eight-fight win streak dating back to 2019.

Israel Adesanya urged to commit to UFC 300 return, fight Strickland – du Plessis winner: ‘They’re trying to procure that fight’

Israel Adesanya urged to fight Strickland - du Plessis at UFC 300Former two-time undisputed middleweight champion, Israel Adesanya has been urged to make a commitment and announce plans to fight…

Israel Adesanya urged to fight Strickland - du Plessis at UFC 300

Former two-time undisputed middleweight champion, Israel Adesanya has been urged to make a commitment and announce plans to fight at UFC 300 next year, with Chael Sonnen urging the City Kickboxing staple to seek out a fight with Sean Strickland or Dricus du Plessis ahead of their fight later this month.

Adesanya, a former two-time undisputed middleweight champion, has been sidelined since he headlined UFC 293 back in September against the above-mentioned, Strickland, dropping his championship for the second time in a year in the form of a stunning upset decision loss to the outspoken challenger.

And in the immediate aftermath of UFC 293, Nigerian-Kiwi striker, Israel Adesanya claimed he would be sidelined until 2027 at the very earliest, before claiming that fans and pundits fell for his joking nature.

Israel Adesanya urged to fight at UFC 300

Confirming plans to make a comeback in the coming months, Adesanya has been linked with a UFC 300 trilogy clash with two-time Octagon foe, Alex Pereira, however, as far as Sonnen is confirmed, the former should go after a rematch with Strickland, or a grudge fight with du Plessis at the flagship event.

“The reason that (Sean) Strickland and (Dricus) du Plessis was rushed to the marketplace is because the winner is gonna take on Izzy at UFC 300,” Chael Sonnen said on his YouTube channel. “Now that isn’t done… But that is the option that is attempting to be preserved the most. Izzy has spoke on this. Izzy has not given us a commitment, but he’s come close. One thing that I do prefer is that Izzy go first.”

“I would prefer that Izzy, prior to Strickland vs. du Plessis, goes first and says, ‘I’ll be waiting for you in April at 300.’” Sonnen explained. “The reason is because while I know that’s the match they’re [the UFC] trying to procure. If Izzy goes second – which means we’ve established who the winner is, and then Izzy makes his choice – it gives the perception that it’s a favorable matchup in Izzy’s opinion.” (H/T MMA News)

Do you expect to see Israel Adesanya feature at UFC 300?

Sean Strickland ‘Triggered’ by Dricus du Plessis brawl ahead of UFC 297 fight: ‘You can’t get too emotional’

Sean Strickland triggered by Dricus du Plessis brawl at UFC 297 you can't get emotionalUndisputed middleweight champion, Sean Strickland’s head coach, Eric Nicksick has admitted his trainee was admittedly “triggered” by his brawl…

Sean Strickland triggered by Dricus du Plessis brawl at UFC 297 you can't get emotional

Undisputed middleweight champion, Sean Strickland’s head coach, Eric Nicksick has admitted his trainee was admittedly “triggered” by his brawl and pre-fight trash talk with incoming foe, Dricus du Plessis ahead of their UFC 297 title fight – claiming the former cannot allow himself to become too emotional amid the developing rivarly.

Strickland, the current undisputed middleweight champion, is scheduled to make his return to the Octagon at UFC 297 in January, taking on surging promotional-perfect contender, du Plessis in Canada, in his first attempted defense of the divisional title.

Sharing the stage with the Pretoria native ahead of their title fight at a 2024 seasonal press conference earlier this month, Strickland’s childhood and relationship with his late father were the subject of interest from opponent, du Plessis, leading to a tense verbal battle between the duo. 

Sean Strickland “triggered” by Dricus du Plessis brawl

However, seated within arm’s reach at UFC 296 on fighter’s row, Strickland jumped du Plessis in the crowd, resulting in a brawl, with the defending middleweight champion escorted backstage afterwards.

And according to Strickland’s head coach, Xtreme Couture mastermind, Nicksick, his student has been “triggered” and affected by the altercation and verbal barbs fired at him.

“There’s two sides to that coin: Sean (Strickland) has no problem saying what he says about everybody else, so people are going to probably poke and say things about him, as well,” Nicksick told MMA Junkie Radio about Sean Strickland. “I think it’s a tough row to [hoe], so you can’t get too emotional about those situations.”

“They are just words, but at the end of the day, I did feel like he (Sean Strickland) was triggered and there was a few days where it just kind of motivated him.” 

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

Photo – Sean Strickland shows off ripped physique ahead of UFC 297 grudge title fight with dricus du Plessis

Sean Strickland ripped ahead of UFC 297 title fight with Dricus du PlessisSean Strickland looks to be in incredible shape ahead of his UFC 297 fight against Dricus Du Plessis.  2023…

Sean Strickland ripped ahead of UFC 297 title fight with Dricus du Plessis

Sean Strickland looks to be in incredible shape ahead of his UFC 297 fight against Dricus Du Plessis. 

2023 has been an incredible year for Strickland who has completely transformed his career, from controversial contender on a two-fight losing streak to undisputed champion with a growing fanbase. 

After upsetting the odds against Israel Adesanya in September a rematch seemed on the cards, but Adesanya opted to take some time away. So, No.1 contender and the original opponent meant for Adesanya for UFC 293, Du Plessis, will now challenge Strickland for the UFC’s middleweight title. 

If you had told the average UFC fan at the beginning of 2023 that the next champion would be either Sean Strickland or Dricus Du Plessis, they likely would have laughed. However, come January 20, and after what should be an entertaining clash, one will be declared champion.

Sean Strickland looks in incredible shape

After moving up to middleweight in 2020, a once-weight drained and cut Strickland filled into the weight class and appeared to enjoy not partaking in a drastic weight cut. However, in a recently posted photo, the 32-year-old seems to be in the best shape he has been in since bumping up in weight. 

While Strickland has been renowned for his hard work in the gym, but he could also be heading into the bout with added motivation. Beside wanting to keep the title, things turned a little personal between Strickland and Du Plessis after the latter made light of Strickland being abused by his father as a child. 

Strickland would reply by calling the south African some homophobic slurs before it all came to a head at the UFC 297 event. After ushering away some nearby children, Strickland leapt at Du Plessis who was stupidly seated right behind him and struck him multiple times. The pair would have to

Who wins, Sean Strickland or Dricus Du Plessis?

Gilbert Burns reveals Sean Strickland’s attack on Dricus Du Plessis at UFC 296 was premeditated

Sean Strickland and Dricus Du PlessisSean Strickland knew from the moment he stepped into the arena that sh*t was going to go down at…

Sean Strickland and Dricus Du Plessis

Sean Strickland knew from the moment he stepped into the arena that sh*t was going to go down at UFC 296.

24 hours following a nasty verbal confrontation between the UFC middleweight champion and his first title challenger, Dricus Du Plessis, the two outspoken standouts engaged in an all-out brawl in the stands at T-Mobile Arena during the promotion’s final pay-per-view event of the year.

Videos of the incident immediately flooded social media and many fight fans were a little skeptical, suggesting that the UFC took a page out of the WWE’s book and staged the incident to help promote January’s first big headliner.

Appearing on the JAXXON podcast, Gilbert Burns, whose family had a front-row seat for the incident, revealed that not only was the brawl real but that Sean Strickland had walked into the building determined to throw hands with ‘Stillknocks’ that night.

“That was my wife and kid,” Burns explained, referring to the people Strickland waved aside before lunging at Du Plessis. “And then when Sean came, he came and then he kind of looked at the guy. I think he’s already like ‘Man sh*t. You brought your wife and your kids,’ and I say yes. And he said, ‘Yeah this fricking guy is right there. I might do stuff with this guy.’

“That was before the fight! When he walked in, he already had the thing in his head. [Strickland said] If I do something, I’ll give you the heads up. Whenever the things start going down, this guy [Strickland] kind of look at me and said, ‘Now!’”

Dana White takes Responsibility for Strickland’s attack on Du Plessis

Sean Strickland and Dricus Du Plessis are scheduled to scrap on January 20 when the promotion returns to PPV for UFC 297. Had either man sustained an injury in the scuffle, those plans could have been put in serious jeopardy. Fortunately, nobody was hurt, but UFC CEO Dana White was willing to take full responsibility for being the “a**hole” that sat the two middleweight stars so close together.

“They hit each other a little bit,” Burns added. “People didn’t see that side of the camera. We saw because it was right there. There was kind of a little bit back-and-forth, but it was nothing clean. And then Dana came after the fight, like what happened, did anyone get hurt, anyone need anything? No, nothing happened to anyone. Even those guys, they fought each other” (h/t MMA Mania).