Sean Strickland was the unlikely champion in the UFC after his upset victory over Israel Adesanya at UFC 293. However, he lost the title in his next fight; against Dricus du Plessis at UFC 297 in Vancouver, Canada. Strickland lost the fight via split decision and many including Dana White, the UFC CEO, thought the American edged out the South African.
However, the promotion plans to have du Plessis fight bitter rival Israel Adesanya. Strickland believes that he was robbed and wants a rematch against Stillknocks. Will the UFC heed Strickland’s request or will his controversial persona stand in the way of attaining UFC gold again?
Sean Strickland makes case for his rematch against Dricus Du Plessis
Ever since the loss to Dricud du Plessis, Sean Strickland has been clamoring for a rematch. Even though Dana White thought Strickland won the fight, he was against the idea of an immediate rematch.
Recently, Strickland doubled down on his claim to the rematch. “The UFC fans want me and Dricus to settle it. Dricus wants to settle it. We all know I fought in a dirty liberal country who fucked me. Dana knows it. The UFC knows it,” tweeted Strickland, who went on to state that anybody else would’ve gotten the rematch in a similar situation.
Strickland has extremely conservative views and has always berated Canada and their government, headed by PM Justin Trudeau for its liberal policies. However, Strickland enjoyed the crowd support at UFC 297 in Vancouver and there were even chants of ‘Fuck Trudeau’ at the venue.
Strickland blames not getting the rematch entirely on Canada. He even revealed in an interaction with a fan on social media that the Canadian government threatened to pull him out of his fight with du Plessis.
Rob Whittaker’s match against Khamzat Chimaev freezes out Sean Strickland
Dana White recently announced a blockbuster main event for the promotion’s debut in Saudi Arabia. White announced a middleweight number one contender fight between Khamzat Chimaev and Robert Whittaker as the main event of UFC Saudi Arabia.
With the promotion planning to have Dricus du Plessis defend the title against Israel Adesanya, potentially at Perth in August, the Chimaev versus Whittaker fight in June will effectively freeze Sean Strickland out of a title shot next, as per Fox Sports.
Strickland is ranked first in the middleweight division. Adesanya is second, Whittaker is third and Chimaev is 11th in the rankings. With Adesanya, Whittaker, and Chimaev already booked, Strickland might have to face Jared Cannonier, Brendan Allen, or Paulo Costa.
Strickland had already fought Cannonier and Allen. He lost to Cannonier controversially via split decision but has a finish over Allen. Costa is coming off a loss to Whittaker at UFC 299 and is likely the viable opponent for Strickland.
Cannonier and Whittaker do not have a fight lined up but Allen is scheduled to face Chris Curtis, a close friend of Strickland, in the main event of UFC Vegas 90 next week. A victory would potentially make Allen call out Strickland for a rematch.
Do you think Sean Strickland will become a UFC champion again? Leave your thoughts below!