Sean Strickland will be defending his UFC middleweight title for the first time at UFC 296 against 2nd-ranked middleweight Dricus Du Plessis. Strickland, who won the title at UFC 293 with a massive upset victory over Israel Adesanya, is now a household name with his outspoken and controversial views.
Strickland’s opponent, Dricus Du Plessis is coming off a similar upset victory over former champion Robert Whittaker at UFC 291. Strickland and Du Plessis had a verbal and physical altercation in December of 2023 preluding UFC 296.
Sean Strickland blasts journalist at UFC 297 presser
Preluding UFC 297, Sean Strickland had a heated verbal altercation with a journalist on the media day. Interestingly, it was the journalist who provoked Strickland and not the other way around as many would presume. The confrontation started when the journalist brought up past comments by Strickland when he said that he would be very disappointed if he had a son who was gay.
Strickland was visibly angered by the journalist’s questions, and he even went on to ask the journalist to reveal his sexuality. Things also took a turn when Strickland began to attack the journalist for his political beliefs. “You’re weak fucking man. Dude, you’re like, you’re part of the fucking problem. You elected Justin Trudeau.”, Strickland went off at the journalist.
Nonetheless, Strickland ended the conversation with the journalist on a positive note and he revealed that he has nothing against homosexuals. However, he was adamant in his beliefs that any ‘woke’, or ‘trans’ agenda should not be pushed on children at schools. The middleweight champion also had a sly dig at the Canadian government which he felt was authoritarian, unlike the US government.
Strickland is known for his controversial remarks on various matters as he was very critical of the UFC when the promotion signed a deal with Budlight. Budlight garnered controversy when the company announced transwoman influencer Dylan Mulvaney as their ambassador.
Sean Strickland defends middleweight title at UFC 297
UFC 297, the first PPV of 2024, has a fan-friendly main event between Sean Strickland and Dricus Du Plessis for the coveted UFC middleweight title. The duo already has an existing beef which was squashed after the two had a physical altercation in the audience of UFC 296.
Strickland has an impressive record in MMA; 15-5 in the UFC and 28-5 in MMA. After beginning his career at welterweight, a motorcycle accident caused his move up in weight to middleweight where he is presently on a three-fight win streak. His only losses in middleweight are to current light heavyweight champion Alex Pereira and former middleweight title challenger Jared Cannonier. It needs to be noted that the loss to Cannonier by split decision was heavily disputed.
Du Plessis is undefeated in the UFC with only one of his 6 fights going the distance with impressive victories over Robert Whittaker, Darren Till, and Derek Brunson. Du Plessis was originally slated to face Israel Adesanya at UFC 293 before an injury forced his withdrawal and Strickland replaced him to eventually win the title.
UFC 297 also has an exciting co-main event between Mayra Bueno Silva and Raquel Pennington for the vacant women’s bantamweight title. Strickland’s close friend and training partner Chris Curtis is also on the main card as he takes on Canada’s Marc-André Barriault.
Do you think Sean Strickland will defend the title at UFC 297? Leave your prediction below!