In the main event of UFC 297, Sean Strickland defended his middleweight title for the first time against Dricus Du Plessis. The American bowed to the decision.
After long weeks of trashtalk and even a public fight, Sean Strickland and Dricus Du Plessis finally faced each other. At ScotiaBank Arena in Toronto, all eyes were on this fight.
Round 1: Standing, the two men exchange fists. The South African tries to place powerful kicks. Du Plessis changes level and validates a takedown on the champion. Both athletes get up and Strickland continues to work in volume. The pace picks up at the end of the recovery.
Round 2: The American champion continues his harassment work while ‘Stillknocks’ looks for the hard blow. Strickland manages the distance well and rarely gets hit. After landing body shots, the challenger changes levels again and takes ‘Tarzan’ to the ground. Du Plessis’ left eye begins to swell, while Strickland’s eye is open at the eye socket.
Round 3: Strickland’s jabs are real poison for the South African. The latter puts on his rear arm and waits patiently for the opening. Meanwhile, the champion continues his undermining work. Dricus Du Plessis’ face is bruised, and Strickland does not seem worried.
How things can change in just a calendar year… 😳
World champ 🏆 @SStricklandMMA & @DricusDuPlessis throwing down for the middleweight crown! #UFC297 pic.twitter.com/87EBvJtcNH
— UFC Europe (@UFCEurope) January 21, 2024
Round 4: Dricus Du Plessis fakes a takedown, and surprises the champion with fists. Sean Strickland’s face is cut open and starting to bleed. Once again, ‘Stillknocks’ validates a takedown. The challenger accelerates and hits the American more and more. Strickland is taken to the floor again. The champion is shaken.
🔥🔥🔥 Le quatrième round s'emballe et les deux combattants se rendent coup pour coup.#UFC297 #RMCMMA pic.twitter.com/ngBGkt6BmF
— RMC Sport Combat (@RMCSportCombat) January 21, 2024
Round 5: The fight is close and completely undecided. Sean Strickland defends a takedown attempt. Embarrassed by the blood running down his face, the American champion returns all the blows. The two athletes send each other hard strikes in a messy sequence.
Nous avons un nouveau champion 👑 #UFC297@dricusduplessis s'impose par décision partagée et devient le nouveau champion des poids moyens pic.twitter.com/kygS5kBYls
— UFC France (@UFCFRA) January 21, 2024
In the end, Dricus Du Plessis won by split decision (48-47, 48-47, 47-48) and became the new UFC middleweight champion!
