(Photo : Mark Evans/Getty Images) SYDNEY, AUSTRALIA – Sean Strickland of United States celebrates victory over Israel Adesanya of Nigeria to change into the brand new middleweight champion of the world in the course of the UFC 293 occasion at Qudos Bank Arena on September 10, 2023 in Sydney, Australia.
The Sean Strickland – Dricus Du Plessis combat will headline UFC 297, the primary main occasion for the group in 2024.
Strickland will attempt to defend his UFC Middleweight Championship in opposition to the South African, who has been on a roll this 12 months.
It will happen on January 20, 2024, on the Scotiabank Arena in Toronto.
The bout is previewed as a conflict of types – Strickland’s methodical and putting type in opposition to Du Plessis’ MMA that depends closely on jiu-jitsu, judo, and grappling.
The South African comes out of the gate, attempting to finish a match rapidly via his heavy palms, which is why he’s referred to as Stillknocks.
Betting favourite
The odds are nonetheless undecided, with the match lower than two months away.
Odds Shark put Strickland’s possibilities of successful at -150 or 60 % whereas Du Plessis is at +125.
Recent outings
Preparations are nonetheless ongoing, however going again to the tapes of the 2 fighters’ earlier fights might help.
Strickland beat a formidable foe in Israel Adesanya in his final octagon look. He was the underdog within the match, however he and his coaches did their project. He used his stamina to outlast the Stylebender by sending a steady flurry within the first spherical.
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Adesanya himself acknowledged that his opponent had a higher sport plan.
“I just wasn’t able to get my rhythm because of his pressure,” Adesanya mentioned.
“He was right there constantly. Whenever I was setting him up, because he was right there, his coach would help him out, and I would be like, ‘Fuck.’ Good game plan from them, but also for me, I wasn’t able to adjust on the fly. … It was his night.”
Du Plessis was an underdog, too, in opposition to Robert Whitaker of their UFC 290 match final July. That didn’t distract Stillknocks as he rapidly labored on his champion opponent to get the victory in simply two rounds.
Dricus pounded his opponents with heavy physique kicks till their protection sagged, after which he took his probability to complete them. That is what he intends to do to his first 2024 rival.
“I’ve had great performances, and I’ve had not so good performances in my career, in the UFC and out of the UFC… But not one of those performances, good or bad, was not entertaining.” He additional added, “He (Strickland) doesn’t like to fight backwards, and I promise you I’m not fighting backwards.”
What do UFC fighters assume?
Another option to gauge the bout is to contemplate the phrases {of professional} fighters.
UFC Light Heavyweight Champion Alex Pereira, who fought Strickland final 12 months, is gracious sufficient to supply his perception, though this one got here lengthy earlier than the Sean Strickland – Dricus Du Plessis Fight was confirmed.
He thought Strickland had the next probability of beating Adesanya than Du Plessis. The former proved him proper.
Whitaker, who felt the fiery blasts from Du Plessis final July, has the identical sentiment – Strickland is the higher fighter.
“Top of my head, I would have to say, Sean pieces him up five rounds, wins by decision,” mentioned Whittaker in his MMArcade podcast.
“Dricus is awkward and he’s unorthodox…He’s gonna come into this fight ready for the dog fight.”
Related article: Dricus Du Plessis vs Israel Adesanya Beef: History, Chances of Fight Happening, and More
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