Sean Strickland appeared to have Dricus Du Plessis a bit frustrated during their final face-off.
On Saturday night, January 20, Strickland will put his middleweight world title on the line for the first time when he meets No. 2 ranked contender Dricus Du Plessis. The pair will headline the promotion’s return to Scotiabank Arena in Toronto for the first pay-per-view event of the year, UFC 297.
Things took an unexpectedly personal during last month’s seasonal press conference in Las Vegas when ‘Stillknocks’ made a disparaging remark regarding Strickland’s traumatic upbringing. 24 hours after their heated verbal exchange, fists flew inside T-Mobile Arena when Strickland lept over a row of seats and attacked the South African standout.
Since then, ‘DDP’ and Strickland have seemingly buried the hatchet, but that didn’t stop things from getting a little chippy between the two during their face-to-face at the ceremonial weigh-ins on Friday.
Dricus Du Plessis charges at Sean Strickland during the UFC 297 ceremonial weigh ins pic.twitter.com/ldzHO07DZk
— MMA Mania (@mmamania) January 19, 2024
Dricus Du Plessis wasted no time hopping on the scale and taking his place on stage, but Strickland was much more methodical. Neglecting to step on the scale, the champ stood and stared at his opponent from afar, prompting ‘DDP’ to lunge at Strickland. Security quickly stepped in to prevent another out-of-control incident between the two.
“I ain’t got no predictions, but like they say, be careful what you wish for,” Du Plessis told Jon Anik at the ceremonial weigh-ins. “You asked for death. Your wish has been granted, my friend.
"You asked for death. Your wish has been granted, my friend."
Dricus du Plessis tells Sean Strickland to "be careful what you wish for" 🥶 #UFC297 pic.twitter.com/JEbiwv4P20
— MMA Fighting (@MMAFighting) January 19, 2024
Sean Strickland has undoubtedly made a name for himself courtesy of his outspoken nature and sometimes vile commentaries that have divided fight fans on multiple occasions. But on Saturday night, he will begin the journey to establish himself as one of the greatest 185-pounders in UFC history.
Determined to cut Strickland’s reign short, Dricus Du Plessis has won his last eight fights with six coming under the UFC banner. ‘Stillknocks’ earned his first shot at UFC gold with a brutal second-round KO of former titleholder Robert Whittaker at UFC 290 in July.
Watch the full UFC 297 ceremonial weigh-ins below:
