A fighter millions of UFC fans adore due to his comical value and frankness on a range of subjects, coupled with his all-action fighting style, Sean Strickland’s momentum at the top of the middleweight tree took a massive hit after his somewhat controversial loss to Dricus Du Plessis at UFC 297. A devastating split-decision defeat in his first title defence, Strickland will undoubtedly take a short break away from the sport as he prepares for his next bout.
The fight with Du Plessis would certainly have taken a lot out of Strickland. The South African is a formidable opponent who handled Strickland pushing the pace throughout the contest, coming out on top in a back-and-forth feast that provided plenty of entertainment for fans. In fact, the fight is arguably the best battle we’ve seen in 2024 so far, with both fighters contributing to a brutal slugfest that MMA connoisseurs enjoyed.
Of course, Strickland’s diehard fans who enjoy his hilarious takes on podcasts and his usually fiery press conferences would’ve been shocked to see their man lose, particularly as many would’ve backed him in the betting stakes and shared their respective theories on why the former champion would have too much for Du Plessis. Strickland failed to deliver, though, and after just four months after it began, his period of dominance has already come to an end.
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