Sean Strickland, the 2023 Fighter of the Year, will be fighting Dricus Du Plessis for the 185 belt in 2024. Strickland, the UFC middleweight champion with a 3-0 record in 2023, has climbed the rankings and shocked the world. There are indications that Dricus Du Plessis and his team may be underestimating Strickland, with comments suggesting they believe the fight won't be competitive. Coach Eric Nicksick mentioned that Strickland was triggered by Du Plessis, which motivated him more for the title fight. Gilbert Burns also indicated that Strickland gave a heads up about a potential brawl with Du Plessis. The fight is highly anticipated, with Strickland's wrestling background and shape being highlighted as advantages for him.
Coach Eric Nicksick: Sean Strickland was triggered by Dricus Du Plessis ahead of #UFC297 title fight, but that just motivated him more (via @TheGoze, @MMAJunkieGeorge) https://t.co/hzI42NypBR https://t.co/Xoab6Iu7xv
Gilbert Burns: Sean Strickland gave ‘heads up’ UFC 296 brawl with Dricus Du Plessis could happen https://t.co/csQT7nBuH2
✅ UFC middleweight champion ✅ 3-0 record in 2023 Sean Strickland climbed the rankings and shocked the world this year 🏆 https://t.co/po3nA2oPEn
“I talked to people close to Duplessis and they believe it is an afterthought they get through Sean Strickland.” Is Dricus Du Plessis and his team looking past #UFC Middleweight champion Sean Strickland? #UFC297 Via Daniel Cormier/YT @ChrisLebeauMMA https://t.co/godfrzJyVI
Daniel Cormier: Dricus Du Plessis’ people believe Sean Strickland is ‘an afterthought,’ fight won’t be competitive Full story: https://t.co/4iThJVJXcK https://t.co/cFm63gMRLd
Daniel Cormier: Dricus Du Plessis’ people believe Sean Strickland is ‘an afterthought,’ fight won’t be competitive https://t.co/SGsT8qlOgn
“You won’t believe it, but Sean Strickland and Dricus Du Plessis will be fighting for the 185 belt in the year 2024.” https://t.co/ggJK4U5M34
MMA Fighting’s 2023 Fighter of the Year: Sean Strickland https://t.co/dtSHIAgNcR
Sean Strickland is IN SHAPE. https://t.co/mwf06KY7vG
Which #UFC champion keeps their title longer. Islam Makhachev or Sean Strickland? https://t.co/U2fEXibZTa
Sean Strickland’s run to the middleweight crown earns him MMA Fighting’s 2023 Fighter of the Year Full story: https://t.co/dtSHIAgNcR https://t.co/EcwgThExMN
Sean Strickland isn’t looking to be a one hit wonder. A true gym rat with a wrestling background he doesn’t use much but is there, it’s going to take alot of heart from DDP the longer the fight goes, the deeper the waters are tested: advantage goes to Strickland. #UFC297 https://t.co/bjExqufBmu
No hard feelings from Dricus Du Plessis after his fight with Sean Strickland in the crowd at #UFC296 @dricusduplessis | @SStricklandMMA https://t.co/VzDSM9XhF4