Middleweight title fight between Sean Strickland and Dricus Du Plessis headlines UFC 297 in Toronto for the first numbered UFC card of 2024. The fight has become one of the most anticipated of the new year as the pair have clashed repeatedly and violently on many occasions and neither man looks to be taking the moral high ground.
Dricus Du Plessis Is Raring to Go
On Instagram Du Plessis announced he was flying out to Toronto as the hardest part of his camp is done, the fight is a couple of weeks away. Former KSW champion is undefeated within the organisation and is hunting to become the first South African UFC champion. With a nation behind him the South African is supremely confident going in against the brash Sean Strickland who shocked the world at UFC 293 snatching the belt off Israel Adesanya. Du Plessis has earned his shot at the belt after a brilliant performance against former champion Robert Whittaker in July last year which took him to 6-0 in the UFC.
“That’s a wrap! Hard part of camp is in the books, prepare to see the best Stillknocks by far step in there 20 Jan. My coaches my team and everyone involved in this camp I will be forever grateful.
“Tonight we fly out to go get what I promised myself, those who’ve always been in my corner and the Whole South Africa. I promise you I’m bringing home the @ufc MW title or I’ll die trying.”
His title shot was offered to him in September against fierce rival Adesanya but Du Plessis turned it down as he needed time to recover. Instead up stepped Strickland to take on the middleweight king and the American claimed the crown in a shocking yet dominant upset. Therefore Strickland’s first defence will be the South African.
Igniting the Fight
The rivalry between Dricus Du Plessis and Israel Adesanya was clear to see with Du Plessis claiming he would be the first legitimate African champion which angered Adesanya. So when Strickland won the belt many fans were not as intrigued due to the new fight not quite having the same heat as the original would have promised. However, this would all change as hell broke lose in the build up to UFC 296 and then again at the event.
The seasonal press conference caused some heated exchanges and this bad blood boiled and erupted during the event as the pair got into a brawl in the crowd. Which for many was the highlight of the event. Dana White came out after the event and admitted he was at fault for the poor choice of seating arrangements.
Ever since the event the pair have not stopped digging each other out on social media and stoke the fire further. Very recently Strickland broke down in tears in an interview when discussing his traumas from his childhood. Many fighters have had their say and Du Plessis called the American a hypocrite. If Du Plessis is successful in Toronto it seems inevitable Adesanya will be facing him, particularly with Khamzat Chimaev recovering from illness. The anticipation continues to build as we are only two weeks away from UFC 297 and the pair will no doubt clash again in the build up.
Featured image credits to Embed from Getty Images
