Dricus Du Plessis wins UFC 297 clash against Sean Strickland

Dricus Du Plessis defeats Sean Strickland in an epic UFC middleweight championship fight, becoming the new champion in a split decision.

In the dark hours of the morning, a highly anticipated showdown took place between Dricus Du Plessis and Sean Strickland at the Scotiabank Arena. The crowd, buzzing with excitement, witnessed Du Plessis, draped in the South African flag, making his entrance at 12:54 a.m. to the invigorating anthem of Airbourne's 'Live It Up.' Shortly after, the arena erupted as the champion, Strickland, entered the ring to the heavy metal rendition of 'When Johnny Comes Marching Home' by Megaraptor.

The match officially kicked off at 1:03 a.m. with a respectful exchange of glove touches. The opening round showcased a display of skill and strategy. Strickland, known for his precise jab, utilized this technique to maintain control, while Du Plessis unleashed impactful kicks and sought to deliver a knockout blow. His efforts paid off as he managed to take Strickland to the ground, if only briefly.

The second round saw Strickland's consistent jab, while Du Plessis engaged with more aggressive strikes. Despite the lack of precision, Du Plessis achieved another successful takedown and inflicted a cut near Strickland's right eye. The third round witnessed an escalation in the fight, as Du Plessis, despite showing visible signs of damage, maintained his offensive.

The fourth round turned into a back-and-forth struggle, with Strickland defending against takedowns and landing significant strikes, despite increasing damage from bleeding. Du Plessis ended the round on a high note, securing three takedowns and delivering powerful strikes. As the fifth round commenced, the mutual respect between the fighters was evident with another glove touch. The crowd's energy was palpable, with alternating chants supporting each fighter. The bout concluded with both fighters visibly fatigued but continuing to exchange blows until the end.

In the end, Du Plessis was declared the new UFC middleweight champion, defeating Strickland in a split decision. Despite his eye nearly being swollen shut, and Strickland's face dripping blood, the two fighters gave it their all in a true slugfest. ESPN had Du Plessis ranked No. 2 at middleweight and Strickland was ranked No. 5.