Sean Strickland Buries the Hatchet With Dricus Du Plessis in Bizarre Turn of Events as Fan Storms UFC 297 Press Conference Stage

Sean Strickland will defend his middleweight title for the first time against Dricus Du Plessis on Sunday. But more than that, the bout is personal for both ‘Tarzan’ and Du Plessis. Or so it seemed after their contentious UFC 296 press conference and subsequent brawl at the event last year.

After Strickland warned the South African that he would stab him if he brought up his childhood, fireworks were expected at their UFC 297 pre-fight press conference held minutes ago. However, it was a muted affair, with Strickland and Du Plessis showing respect for each other. The middleweight champion even gave props to ‘Stillknocks’ for triggering him.

Sean Strickland promises a deathmatch with Du Plessis

On being asked by a reporter if the fight was not personal anymore, given the recent thaw in their relationship with Du Plessis saying he would like to have a beer with Strickland after their fight, ‘Tarzan’ agreed. He pointed out that he talked trash about everybody, and deserved the ribbing from Du Plessis. He even praised the #1 ranked middleweight for making him break character.

“Here’s the thing it was never f**ing personal. The cuck Sean O’Malley said some stupid sh* he knows nothing about. I go hard on everybody you guys. You don’t think I deserve a little sh** bro? I go hard on all you motherf**rs. I’m proud of the motherf*r, you don’t see me lose character often, this motherf*r got me there. F*ing A. Let’s go,” an excited Strickland told reporters as a fan rushed on-stage to shake his hand.

However, despite this newfound camaraderie, the 32-year-old promised that he and Du Plessis are going to fight each other to death in the octagon in their UFC 297 main event bout on January 20 at the Scotiabank Arena in Toronto, Canada.

“Real talk though guys, me and Dricus, we’re going to try and kill each other for you guys. Dricus, can I get agreement, to the f**ing death!” Strickland and Du Plessis agreed with a handshake. However, one person he seems not to have respect for is former opponent Israel Adesanya, whom he cursed out during the press conference.

Strickland rubbishes Adesanya prediction of ‘DDP’ victory

Talking about the fight, Adesanya felt that while Strickland may trouble Dricus Du Plessis with his jab, he felt the South African’s ground game would prove too good for the champion. Adesanya predicted a victory ‘Stillknocks’ and said the #1 ranked middleweight would submit Strickland sooner or later. On being asked what he thought of ‘Izzy’s prediction, Strickland proceeded to call-out the former champion  for his performance during their UFC 293 clash and predicted he keep his mouth shut.

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“Listen, Izzy… the f***ing cringe lord. The f***ing punk plate himself. F*** Izzy. I could’ve took Izzy down and beat his ass on the ground, but I chose to stand with him like a man  What did he do the whole fight? Run away like a b****. Izzy, shut your f****** mouth,” the middleweight champion said. Whether or not Adesanya’s prediction comes true will be clear shortly, however, one thing seems clear: the bout seems extremely unlikely to go to the judges scorecard. What do you think about Sean Strickland’s comments at the press conference?

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