As the entire audience at the T-Mobile Arena observed with rapt attention, an unforeseen altercation erupted right amid the proceedings. The focal point of this unexpected hubbub was none other than the UFC middleweight champion, Sean Strickland, and his slated contender for the upcoming title bout, Dricus Du Plessis. Strickland and Du Plessis got into a brawl, which resulted in the entire UFC management intervening.
The ͏brawl was brutal, and White, along with the others, had to quell the situation. The broadcasting team, comprising Joe Rogan, Dan͏iel Cormier͏, and Jon Anik, asserted that the fault might rest with Sean Strickland. Let’s delve into their commen͏tary to see what they had to say.
Joe Rogan and Co. blame Sean Strickland for the altercations
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UFC 296 witnessed not only intense matchups inside the Octagon but also some heated moments outside of it. In the second main card bout, Tony Ferguson clashed with the Paddy Pimblett. However, the excitement extended beyond the scheduled fights when rivals Sean Strickland and Dricus Du Plessis engaged in a heated altercation in the stands.
The two middleweight fighters were seated nearby, engaging in banter. At one point, Strickland asked Gilbert Burns‘ son, who was seated next to him, to shift from his position. Seconds later, Strickland swiftly lunged towards Du Plessis, engaging in a physical altercation with the fellow fighter.
Upon closer examination, Joe Rogan, Daniel Cormier, and Jon Anik observed that, despite both fighters engaging in banter, it was Strickland who unnecessarily charged Du Plessis. Rogan said “Out of nowhere, that’s kinda crazy. Well, it’s so ridiculous that the middleweight champion of the world would do that. Yeah, he is out of his mind. He really is nuts. He’s getting off; he enjoys it. He had to get time, you know. Don’t do that.”
The full incident between Sean Strickland and Dricus Du Plessis at #UFC296 pic.twitter.com/Hl108oSys7
— UFC Canada (@UFC_CA) December 17, 2023
Daniel Cormier added that Strickland was a psychopath. Cormier further emphasized that it is not good to resolve your ‘Bad Blood’ when you are in public. Cormier gave the example of his rivalry with Jon Jones and stated that they always fought inside the octagon when they had any feud.
Dricus Du Plessis’s statement on the brawl
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Sean Strickland chose to go out of the arena, and Du Plessis remained in the audience for the rest of the event. After the brawl happened, Megan Olivi rushed to Du Plessis to get his opinion on the brawl. ‘Stillknocks’ was unfazed by the sudden altercations.
“Yeah, it’s probably not a good example, but in real things happened and nobody got hurt. It was good,” said Du Plessis. Olivi then asked the middleweight contender whether yesterday’s press conference might have affected Stickland’s behavior for the attack. Du Plessis outright claimed that he did not care about the statements that he made against Strickland’s childhood.
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UFC 297 is just a month away and both the fighters seem to be hyped up for it. Do you expect Dricus Du Plessis and Sean Strickland to showcase an interesting fight? Who do you think will win?
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