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Sean Strickland and Dricus Du Plessis are all set to face each other inside the Octagon at UFC 297. The buildup to the event has been marked by an intense back-and-forth between the two, which even culminated in a brawl at UFC 296! In a recent interview with Ariel Helwani, Du Plessis revealed the chain of events that led to the altercation.
UFC CEO Dana White in a statement after the event had stated that “So what kind of an assh*** sits Strickland next to Du Plessis? This assh***, that’s who” indicating that he was indirectly responsible for the brawl. And in his conversation with Helwani, ‘Stillknocks’ provided a deeper look into the situation. Let’s explore what he had to say!
Dricus Du Plessis reveals the UFC seated him close to Sean Strickland
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Sean Strickland and Dricus Du Plessis were both in the crowd during the UFC 296 event in Las Vegas. Before their incident at the fight, sparks had already flown between the two during a press conference where Du Plessis referenced Strickland’s rough childhood.According to Du Plessis, he was surprised when he found out that the UFC had seated the two close together for UFC 296. In his appearance on the MMA Hour, Du Plessis revealed that “I arrived there as the main, just before the first main card fight and obviously, I get my ticket and I look at the seating numbers, so I see him on the other side of the road, complete opposite side of where I am”
But when Du Plessis attempted to find his seat as indicated on the ticket, security personnel informed him that he was supposed to sit where Strickland was! The South African explained, “… I saw him, he was just one row in between us literally right in front of me, so I mean, I was looking at the back of his head but I mean, didn’t bother me at all. I was there for two-three fights before obviously when the cameras came on us that’s where things went south.”
The revelation provides insight into the circumstances that fueled the pre-fight tension and the brawl between the pair, adding an extra layer of anticipation for their upcoming clash in the Octagon. However, Sean Strickland has already made his intentions clear about what he plans to do when he faces Du Plessis in the cage!
Strickland sends grim warning to Du Plessis
In a recent episode of ‘The Man Dance’ podcast with fellow fighter, Chris Curtis, Strickland described a conversation with Du Plessis following the brawl. Despite the upcoming intense fight, Strickland expressed a liking for Du Plessis and emphasized their impending fight would be a “death match.”
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As he prepares for UFC 297, Strickland also sent a stern message to Du Plessis, warning against revisiting contentious topics. He stated, “We’re going to try and murder each other but if you bring that sh** up again, I will f***ing stab you.'”
The warning adds a layer of intensity to the already charged atmosphere leading up to the title bout. The UFC 297 main event promises heightened drama and anticipation as both fighters bring their intense rivalry into the Octagon!
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Do you think Sean Strickland will hold on to the middleweight title against the surging Dricus Du Plessis? Why or Why not? What do you make of Du Plessis’s thoughts on the seating fiasco at UFC 296? Share your thoughts in the comments below!
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