Dricus du Plessis made history as the first South African champion in promotional history after defeating Sean Strickland at UFC 297. Crowned the new middleweight champion, ‘Stillknocks’ called out Israel Adesanya in the post-fight interview. When asked about the potential fight with Adesanya, du Plessis expressed his excitement, stating, “I don’t want to put a timeline on [the fight] but UFC 300 sounds amazing.” He clarified that the potential clash was not personal, but rather based on fan expectations and his desire to face the best competition.
UFC 297 served as the kickoff for the promotion’s 2024 pay-per-view season, where du Plessis and Strickland battled in the main event. Following the closely contested bout, ‘Stillknocks’ emerged victorious with a 48-47, 47-48, and 48-47 split-decision score from the judges. The fight drew mixed reactions from media members, with some believing Strickland deserved the win, while others favored du Plessis.
UFC CEO Dana White commented on the main event’s result during a media appearance. “I had it 2-2 going into the last round and I thought Strickland won the last round,” White explained. “Guys who were sitting at the same table had it the other way. You know, it was a close fight.” He also praised Strickland’s performance, particularly his jab, which left du Plessis with two swollen eyes.
Du Plessis’ victory marks a significant moment for South African mixed martial arts, and his callout of Israel Adesanya sets the stage for a highly anticipated clash between the two fighters. As the new middleweight champion, ‘Stillknocks’ aims to take on the best competition and solidify his position in the division. With fan interest and hype surrounding the potential fight, UFC 300 may just be the perfect stage for a showdown between the two talented competitors.
