In a recent interview with ‘The Schmo’, Sean Strickland, the former UFC Middleweight Champion, expressed his belief that Dricus Du Plessis won because the officials didn’t want him to retain the belt, citing Strickland’s behavior on the microphone.
Sean also asserted that Du Plessis’ decision win was a fluke, and many, including himself, believe that he actually won the bout. Strickland then proceeded to call out the South African Champion for a rematch.
Sean Strickland reveals why UFC denying Dricus Du Plessis
According to Sean Strickland, the decision win was given to Dricus Du Plessis because of the bout taking place in Canada, instead of the USA. Strickland referred to the judges being biased and called Canada ‘communist’.
This context refers to Sean Strickland’s visit to Canada for his title defense, where he openly criticized the policies of the Canadian Government and Justin Trudeau during media week.
Sean Strickland remains adamant that he beat Dricus Du Plessis, and says if the #UFC don’t give him his rematch it’s because they want to silence him:
— Championship Rounds (@ChampRDS) March 19, 2024
“We all know I won. [Dricus] you know you got a gift from god, let’s run this sh** back.
I deserve that rematch, and if they… pic.twitter.com/2e3pYZEfMD
Additionally, during the media day of UFC 297, Strickland engaged in a controversial conversation with an MMA journalist who accused him of making “homophobic and transphobic” comments in the past. Strickland, offended by the journalist’s baited question during the media day of the biggest fight of his career, proceeded to cuss out the reporter.
This incident aggravated a lot of different sides of Twitter, with a large amount of people supporting Strickland for standing his ground for his opinion, and the other sides disappointed from Sean Strickland’s casual homophobic comments.
Oh look another leftist "cancel sean"
— Sean Strickland (@SStricklandMMA) March 14, 2024
Americans don't want PRIDE month, they don't want STRAIGHT month. They want you to stay the fuck out of our lives. I have gay fans and i value their support. I support them. Be gay, be straight WE don't care. You are the problem not US. pic.twitter.com/mpZDSeoALN
Strickland expressed that he believes the title was also stripped off of him due to the fact that they wanted him shut up and not cause a lot of trouble to the promotion. “Dana (White) said I won. Rogan (Joe) said I won. I know I won,” said Strickland.
Does Sean Strickland deserve title rematch?
With regards to the Dricus Du Plessis rematch, Sean Strickland continued, “I went to Canada guys. I went to the commies. And they shafted me” (referring to the decision being biased).
“Dricus wants it. I know I want it. Let’s run this sh*t back… settle it like men,” said Strickland, expressing that he really wants a rematch with Dricus and that even DDP agrees to having a rematch.
“If they don’t give me the rematch… we know they’re not one of us guys,” Strickland added, looking at the camera intently, in classic Strickland fashion, addressing his fans directly.
Sean Strickland went 5 hard rounds with Dricus Du Plessis at UFC 297. After the end of the 5 rounds, the South African born Middleweight won by decision. The decision win over Strickland was heavily critiqued and debated over the following weeks on popular MMA media, like that of the Joe Rogan podcast.
Dana White also stated his belief that Sean Strickland had won the fight until the decision was announced. Given the UFC’s history of controversial decision wins in various bouts, rematches are common. Some rematches don’t materialize because one of the fighters is unwilling to compete again, as was the case with O’Malley refusing to fight Petr Yan again and opting to face Chito instead. However, in this instance, both fighters appear eager for the challenge.
Would the Dricus Du Plessis vs Sean Strickland matchup take place anytime soon? Or does Robert “The Reaper” Whittaker get a shot against Dricus again? Share your thoughts in the comment section.
