Teddy Atlas revealed the primary striking technique that he believes Sean Strickland must utilize to emerge victorious in the UFC 297 main event.
On Saturday, January 20, the UFC will return to Canada for an action-packed pay-per-view event. The night will end with Strickland looking to secure his first UFC middleweight title defense since dethroning Israel Adesanya in September 2023.
To do so, the American fan favorite must get through Dricus du Plessis, who holds a promotional record of 6-0.
Strickland’s success in the Octagon has primarily been because of his boxing skills, more specifically, his jab used to control distance and throw off his opponent’s timing.
During a video posted on his YouTube channel, Teddy Atlas had this to say about the middleweight king’s jab being a significant factor in his upcoming fight:
“If you have that kind of jab and that kind of mentality to use it, man, you can shut it down, you can shut it down, and you can make yourself the man on that night. That’s what [Sean] Strickland has the ability to do. That’s what he’s going to have to do.”
Atlas continued:
“If he can’t do that, he ain’t winning this fight [against Dricus du Plessis], he ain’t winning this fight. He’s got to make it his fight. He’s got to use that one punch, that jab, that jab to lead him to the promise land, to take him to the mountain top.”
Watch Teddy Atlas break down the UFC 297 main event below:
Teddy Atlas believes Sean Strickland could “shock the world again” at UFC 297
There weren’t many people who predicted Sean Strickland would defeat Israel Adesanya at UFC 293. Heading into UFC 297, Strickland has earned respect from the MMA community, but Teddy Atlas believes he could still shock the world with an impressive win against Dricus du Plessis.
Atlas had this to say during the previously mentioned YouTube video about the UFC 297 main event:
“If Strickland can do [use his jab], if he can shut it down, if he can control for five rounds, five-five minute rounds, it ain’t easy. If he can control that inner sanctum of that cage with his jab, with his legs, and pick spots for the right hand at the right time, and then tie up the stronger guy on the inside, don’t let him use his strength, don’t let him use that size. If he can do that, he’s got a chance to shock the world again. I don’t know if it’ll be as shocking, he’s the champ now, but he shocked the world against [Israel] Adesanya.”
Sean Strickland is listed as a slight betting favorite, but it’ll be easier said than done to defeat Dricus du Plessis. Since making his UFC debut in October 2020, Du Plessis has continued to silence the critiques by securing wins inside the distance against Darren Till, Derek Brunson, and Robert Whittaker.
Watch Strickland and Du Plessis face off for the last time below:
