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In a thrilling culmination to UFC 297, Dricus du Plessis Claims Middleweight Crown in Epic Showdown.
Dricus du Plessis lived up to his promise and dethroned Sean Strickland in a grueling five-round war to become the new middleweight champion. The South African fighter showcased a strategic blend of takedowns and calculated striking, ultimately securing victory by split decision.
The closely contested bout saw du Plessis facing Strickland's relentless aggression, with both fighters leaving it all in the cage. Despite a razor-thin margin on the judges' scorecards, du Plessis' performance was enough to end Strickland's brief reign as the 185-pound division champion.
Reflecting on his triumph, du Plessis shared,
“I honestly thought with the takedowns, I made sure on every round. I could feel it was a close fight. I felt that he gets up really well. I felt the first three rounds were give and take, but those last two rounds I know. I was there for rounds four and five. Who says this guy’s not a five-round fighter?"
The fight was a spectacle of contrasting styles, with Strickland employing a jab-heavy approach while du Plessis focused on mixing body shots with explosive striking. Du Plessis's relentless pressure and well-timed attacks left Strickland with cuts and swelling, showcasing the physical toll of the championship clash.
As the fight reached its climax, both fighters displayed unwavering determination, delivering an exhilarating fifth round that could have swayed the outcome either way. Despite Strickland's valiant effort, du Plessis secured the victory and the middleweight title, capping off a memorable night in Canada.
In a post-fight callout, du Plessis turned his attention to former middleweight champion Israel Adesanya, shouting,
“Israel Adesanya, get your ass back in the UFC so we can settle the score.”
This bold challenge sets the stage for a potential showdown between du Plessis and Adesanya, reigniting a rivalry that was initially meant to serve as du Plessis's title fight last year.
With tensions running high and du Plessis eyeing a clash with Adesanya, the middleweight division is poised for more explosive action. Whether a rematch with Strickland or a battle with Adesanya is on the horizon, du Plessis's victory has undoubtedly injected new energy into the middleweight landscape, promising fans more thrilling moments in the UFC's storied history.