Dricus Du Plessis becomes FIRST South African UFC champion as he dethrones controversial American Sean Strickland by split decision after incredible five-round main event.
Dricus du Plessis became South Africa’s first ever UFC champion by beating Sean Strickland in Toronto on Saturday night.
Strickland looks sharp and tight in his stance to start in the first, checking every kick with brilliant timing.
He landed his jab well and Du Plessis looked ragged, albeit connecting with some heavy kicks to the body.
The South African then changed it up to take him down but only briefly as the champ made his way back to his feet.
Du Plessis came right back into the fight in the second, mostly through output and he was throwing four to land one, such was the range control of Strickland.
He also secured another takedown but couldn’t make it stick.
Du Plessis’ left eye was swollen badly and Strickland had a small cut on his face.
The third was another tough one to call, Du Plessis was the more active.
Strickland had slowed down, throwing fewer strikes than the first couple of rounds and the often questioned cardio of the challenger seemed to be holding up.
Strickland’s coach said: ‘I need this round’, as they emerged for the fourth.
He was chasing the fight now. Du Plessis was still firing on all cylinders and mixed up his strikes with punches and kicks so well before throwing in a takedown. He comfortably won the fourth.
Both men raised their hands at the culmination of a sensational final round. Strickland came back to have a superb last five minutes, covered in blood, swinging for the fences with the fans on their feet.
‘Every time he hits you with that jab it feels like someone hit you with a rock,’ Du Plessis said afterwards.
Strickland was bloodied up after a gruelling five rounds against the powerful South African
Strickland was bloodied up after a gruelling five rounds against the powerful South African
Du Plessis was able to mix up his attacks well and secured a number of takedowns against the American
Du Plessis was able to mix up his attacks well and secured a number of takedowns against the American
Strickland started superbly and managed to keep the challenger at range with his distance control
Strickland started superbly and managed to keep the challenger at range with his distance control
‘You are one heck of a man, thank you for bringing out the best of me tonight,’ Du Plessis said. ‘The first three rounds were give and take, but the last two, I was desperate rounds four and five.’
Strickland later replied: ‘I called it from day one – it was going to be a war.’
Given the extremely close nature of the fight, there’s a legitimate argument for a rematch but Israel Adesanya may yet strut back into town wanting his old belt back.
The division is desperately in need of fresh blood and perhaps Khamzat Chimaev could be the one to provide it. It will be fascinating to see which direction the UFC go.
