Du Plessis Claps Back

There’s never a dull moment in the world of mixed martial arts, and the latest war of words between
Dricus Du Plessis and Sean Strickland is keeping the drama alive. Fresh off his title win,
Du Plessis found himself the subject of a rather pointed claim from Strickland. Never one to hold back,
the UFC Middleweight Champion responded in kindadding fuel to an already blazing rivalry.

Strickland Stirring the Pot?

Sean Strickland is no stranger to controversy. Whether he’s calling out fellow fighters, engaging in
heated sparring sessions, or making outrageous statements, Strickland relishes the spotlight. This time,
he aimed his verbal jabs at Du Plessis, asserting that the South African champ “hates him.”

Strickland didn’t stop there, claiming that Du Plessis has secretly harbored animosity toward him for
some time. Considering that the two have been on a collision course in the UFC’s middleweight division, the
timing of Strickland’s statement raises eyebrows.

Du Plessis Fires Back

It didn’t take long for Du Plessis to respond. The newly crowned middleweight king dismissed Strickland’s
allegations with a mix of humor and defiance, making it clear that he has zero interest in playing into
these narratives.

“Sean has a habit of talking nonsense, but I don’t hate himhe’s just a strange guy,”
Du Plessis said in a recent interview. “If anything, I find him entertaining. But if he wants to
settle things in the Octagon, I’m always ready.”

With that statement, Du Plessis maintained his cool while refusing to be baited into a verbal slugfest.
But his remark about “settling things in the Octagon” was tellingcould this be a preview of an inevitable
matchup down the road?

An Inevitable Showdown?

Strickland and Du Plessis are two of the most compelling figures in the UFC’s middleweight division.
Their fighting styles differStrickland prefers relentless pressure and volume striking, while Du Plessis
brings explosive power and well-rounded versatility. But one thing they absolutely share is an
appetite for war.

Now that Du Plessis holds UFC gold, every middleweight contender will have him in their sightsincluding
Strickland. While it remains to be seen if the UFC will book this fight for 2025, the back-and-forth between
these two only intensifies the demand from fans.

The Verdict

Is this just some good old-fashioned pre-fight trash talk, or does Strickland genuinely feel
slighted by Du Plessis? Either way, the South African champ isn’t letting it faze him.

In an era where promotions thrive on fighter rivalries, this latest exchange between Du Plessis and
Strickland adds another must-watch storyline to the middleweight division. Whether it leads to an
Octagon showdown remains to be seen, but one thing is crystal clearDu Plessis isn’t backing down.

Would you want to see Du Plessis vs. Strickland in 2025? Let us know in the comments!