Closed mouths don’t get fed.
For the outspoken (and sometimes controversial) Sean Strickland, he’s never had a problem with this in recent years. The former UFC Middleweight Champion isn’t shying away from what he wants: another opportunity at UFC gold.
Strickland won the title from two-time champ Israel Adesanya at UFC 293 in September and decided to be a company man, defending his title in a quick turnaround against Dricus Du Plessis earlier this year at UFC 297. Unfortunately for ‘Tarzan’, the judges didn’t swing his way after five rounds and Du Plessis was awarded the split decision win to become the new champion.
Strickland Continues His Push For Title Rematch
Months removed from the disputed result, Strickland thinks it’s only right he gets a title rematch with Du Plessis. Although, there lies a problem as the new champ is dead-set on a grudge match with Adesanya, who is coming off a loss to the aforementioned American.
“You know I don’t care about fight politics or a belt but it makes me laugh they give izzy a rematch to alex [Pereira] after getting slept,” Strickland wrote on ‘X‘. “I lost a close decision that dana [White] himself thought I won. Everyone did.. The stats did. That needs to be run back..”
While the striking statistics work in Strickland’s favor, Du Plessis’ definitely has a case as well because of his forward pressure, variety of attacks and several takedowns landed during the fight.
UFC CEO Dana White did score the fight three rounds to two for Strickland, but as for the whole world? The MMA community was very split on the verdict, with 13 media members scoring the fight for DDP as opposed to 10 for Strickland.
‘I Don’t Wanna Pull This Card…’
There is narrative out there that “to become the champ, you have to BEAT the champ” in convincing-enough fashion. Strickland spoke in a similar tongue, but not without taking some jabs at Canada, where the largely debated title fight was held at.
“And man I don’t wanna pull this card but when does the Champ ever lose a close fight?” Strickland added. “When you’re in Canada with a bunch of dirty fucking leftist.”
And man I don't wanna pull this card but when does the Champ ever lose a close fight? When you're in Canada with a bunch of dirty fucking leftist
— Sean Strickland (@SStricklandMMA) March 13, 2024
Should Sean Strickland get an immediate rematch with Dricus Du Plessis? Or is it Israel Adesanya’s time to shine?
