In the combat sports landscape, it is not uncommon to witness intense rivalries between fighters. However, UFC 296 treated spectators to an unexpected spectacle when an altercation broke out between Sean Strickland and Dricus du Plessis. The two men, who are preparing to face each other for the UFC under-84 kilo belt, let their tension explode during a public event.
At UFC 296, footage released by the American organization showed Sean Strickland jumping on Dricus du Plessis, who was sitting a few rows behind him. This confrontation was preceded by a series of provocations from the South African during previous press conferences. Du Plessis clearly sought to destabilize his future opponent by exploiting personal elements of Strickland’s life.
However, beyond this unfortunate brawl, Du Plessis recently expressed his feelings during an interview with the UFC. He said he didn’t care whether he touched his opponent, emphasizing that in this sport, fighters must be able to deal with harsh words and intense rivalry. He also pointed out that hitting Strickland mentally was easier than expected.
This altercation between Strickland and Du Plessis highlights the pre-existing tension between the two fighters, giving fans a glimpse of what to expect in their fight scheduled for January 21. The weigh-in face-off promises to be explosive, and combat sports fans can’t wait to see the outcome of this electric rivalry.
Ultimately, while altercations between fighters aren’t ideal, they are an integral part of the UFC. This shows the passion and intensity with which these athletes approach their fights. Fans can expect a memorable spectacle on January 21 when Strickland and Du Plessis take to the ring to battle it out for the UFC under-84kg belt.