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

Sean Strickland shares surprising hug and handshake with Dricus du Plessis ahead of UFC 297 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 Has a Crazy Theory for Why Israel Adesanya Came Up Short in Their UFC 293 Title Tilt

Sean Strickland has a crazy theory as to why Israel Adesanya failed to retain his middleweight world title when…

Sean Strickland has a crazy theory as to why Israel Adesanya failed to retain his middleweight world title when the two men met inside the Octagon last year.

In the days leading up to their UFC 293 headliner in Australia, Strickland accused Adesanya of having an inappropriate relationship with his beloved dog who had since passed away. ‘The Last Stylebender’ was content to let the comments simply roll off his back during interviews and press events, but immediately following their 25-minute scrap, Adesanya’s first words to Strickland addressed the vile comments he made about a pet that the two-time titleholder loved like family.

Strickland won the bout via a decisive unanimous decision, claiming the 185-pound crown which shocked fighters and fans alike. Now on the cusp of his first middleweight title defense this Saturday night (January 20), Strickland is suggesting that the allegations of bestiality he levied against Adesanya are what ultimately made the former champ crack under pressure.

“At some point, we all lose,” Strickland said in an interview clip shared by Bloody Elbow. “And you could be like Izzy, lying in a bathtub of flower petals. You could have an entourage and people following you around, but at some point, someone is going to make fun of you for having sex with your dog and then you’re going to f*cking crumble as a human being. That’s just not me because I’m level.”

Sean Strickland has a crazy theory for why Israel Adesanya lost to him pic.twitter.com/OMZLkqgugK

— Bloody Elbow (@BloodyElbow) January 16, 2024

Sean Strickland Gets a Taste of His Own Medicine

The tables were seemingly turned on Strickland last month when his UFC 297 challenger, Dricus Du Plessis, struck a nerve by making light of the champ’s traumatic childhood. Their heated verbal confrontation at the UFC Seasonal Press Conference boiled over 24 hours later when the two were seated near one another at the promotion’s final pay-per-view of 2023.

Strickland lept over a row of seats and physically attacked Du Plessis. Strickland even admitted to biting the South African contender during the fracas.

Fortunately, things were quelled quickly by security staff and UFC CEO Dana White. ‘Stillknocks’ recently revealed that he was given the option to press charges against Strickland, but Du Plessis opted not to, noting that it would likely spell the end of their title tilt scheduled for this weekend in Toronto.

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?

Khamzat Chimaev issues warning ahead of UFC 297 title fight: ‘I didn’t know I was scaring them so much’

Unbeaten middleweight contender, Khamzat Chimaev remains steadfast in his claim to a title shot in his return to the…

Unbeaten middleweight contender, Khamzat Chimaev remains steadfast in his claim to a title shot in his return to the Octagon – claiming he was unaware his recent targets, Sean Strickland and Dricus du Plessis were so scared of him ahead of their own battle at UFC 297 this month.

Chimaev, the current number nine ranked middleweight contender, improved to 13-0 as a professional back in October at UFC 294, turning in a close, majority decision win over former undisputed welterweight champion, Kamaru Usman in his return to active competition.

Landing in the top-10 off the back of his middleweight return victory, Chechen-born contender, Chimaev suffered a hand ligament injury in the opening round of the bout, and has since undergone a surgical procedure to address the setback, as well as battling a worrying, unknown illness.

Eyeing a championship challenge in his immediate return, Chimaev’s claim has been immediately shot down by du Plessis, who questions the validity of his stake, while Strickland has questioned the meritocracy in which he’s earned a tilt recently.

Khamzat Chimaev mocks Strickland et du Plessis

And sure to have a keen eye on UFC 297 later this month ahead of Strickland’s title defense premiere against South African contender, du Plessis, Chimaev claims he wasn’t aware he was “scaring” the duo.

“They have a fight soon, but they both think about me, I didn’t know that I was scaring them so much,” Khamzat Chimaev posted on his official X account.

Preferring a title defense against arch-enemy, Israel Adesanya – who will be in attendance in ‘The Great White North’ should he defeat Strickland, du Plessis claimed a fight with gold on the line against Chimaev made less than sense.

“As far as I know Khamzat’s (Chimaev) a welterweight,” Dricus du Plessis said. “What middleweight did he fight? He fought at middleweight, but he fought a welterweight [in Kamaru Usman]. Gerald Meerschaert? When was that? Was he even ranked? No, he wasn’t ranked. So, that makes absolutely no sense.”

“The UFC promised him a title fight?” Dricus du Plessis questioned. “Where in the world does that happen? And he says he’s fighting (Sean) Strickland. No, you’re not. If there’s a champion, if you get a title shot, I’m the champion, You’re not going to get a title shot. And Israel? That makes sense.”

Do you think Khamzat Chimaev deserves a title fight next?

Dricus Du Plessis Expects a Spectacular Finish in his UFC 297 headliner against Sean Strickland

Dricus Du Plessis expects his title tilt with current middleweight world champion Sean Strickland to deliver an early contender…

Dricus Du Plessis expects his title tilt with current middleweight world champion Sean Strickland to deliver an early contender for Fight of the Year.

On Saturday (January 20), ‘Stillknocks’ will head to Scotiabank Arena in Toronto determined to cash in on his first shot at UFC gold. Standing in his way will be the reigning and defending 185-pound king, Sean Strickland, who is defending his strap for the first time since scoring it via a picture-perfect performance against Israel Adesanya last year.

Through six fights inside the Octagon, Du Plessis carries with him a perfect record and five highlight-reel-worthy finishes, but many fans remain skeptical about his gas tank, which has depleted fast in past scraps.

Looking ahead to his headliner in The Great White North, ‘DDP’ is confident that his cardio will be ready to go a full five rounds after undergoing a career-changing nose surgery, but he anticipates things to end both early and spectacularly come fight night.

“If this is a Sean Strickland fight of punching really, really, really soft and jab, jab, jab, if that’s the case – which it won’t be (because) I won’t allow it – then I’ll be there in the fifth round making sure I win this fight by decision,” Du Plessis told MMA Junkie on Thursday. “That’s what it takes to become the world champion. But in my honest opinion, this fight is not going the distance. There’s no way. He’s a guy who walks forward. I’m a guy who likes to go forward. I’ve said this and this is one thing. This is the fight game.

“Anything can always happen, but I can promise you this. I’ve never been involved in a boring fight in my life and I promise you I won’t because a boring fight is a choice. I know it’s not going to be boring. This is going to be one of those fights. If he can stay standing, if he can take what I give, this is a Fight of the Year contender, 100 percent” (h/t Yahoo! Sport).

Du Plessis erased some of the skepticism surrounding him after he pummeled former middleweight titleholder Robert Whittaker at UFC 290 in July. But one performance in particular still hovers over him, leaving a chip on his shoulder.

“I have one decision in my whole career, and that’s Brad Tavares,” Du Plessis said. “In that fight, we came to a situation where the fight basically, if you look at the punches thrown in that fight, just the punch count, look at that fight again. You’ll see what I’m made of. You look at a guy like Brad Tavares, who is truly one of the most durable guys in the world. When he got to that third round, he definitely won the first round. I won the second. In the third round, the commentators were saying, ‘Dricus is tired. He’s really tired.’

“It doesn’t matter how tired I am. I’m going to do what I need to do to win the fight. … This is the end of Dricus not as a champion. That ends next week, Saturday.”

Will Sean Strickland come out on top in his first middleweight title defense, or will Dricus Du Plessis once again prove the oddsmakers wrong?