UFC 297 Strickland vs. du Plessis: New champ calls out Israel Adesanya

There is a new champion of the middleweight division and he immediately let it be known who he wants to fight next.

7 min read

January 21, 2024 - 7:47PM

Dricus du Plessis calls out his next opponent

Dricus du Plessis has made history in the octagon, becoming the first ever South African-born UFC champion after claiming the middleweight title from Sean Strickland.

Strickland shocked the world with his last fight when he defeated Israel Adesanya in one of the promotion’s all-time boilovers.

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But his reign has lasted just one fight after the 30-year-old claimed a split decision to claim his first taste of UFC glory.

The 48-47x2, 47-48 victory was as close as it could possibly be with the third round the swing round as two judges gave it to du Plessis while the other gave it to Strickland.

However, the result goes into the book as a win and du Plessis is the newest UFC champion.

While the next fight is likely a rematch after the five-round war, the South African wasted no time calling out Adesanya.

“Israel Adesanya, get your a**e back here so we can settle the score,” du Plessis said.

Despite an ugly lead up to the fight — as is common in Strickland fights — du Plessis praised the 32-year-old former champion.

“You are one hell of a man. Thank you for bringing the best out of me. Thank you for being a good guy,” he said.

Strickland was equally as humble as he could manage in response to the result.

“I called it from day one, that it was going to be a f***ing war,” Strickland said post-fight.

“It was a f***ing war. I’m salty, I think I won that, but maybe I’m being a f***ing p***y.”

History made for Dricus du Plessis. Vaughn Ridley/Getty Images/AFP

Du Plessis has claimed the UFC gold. Photo: Vaughn Ridley/Getty Images/AFP

Strickland may not be the only person who is salty after Canadian rapper Drake put $700,000 on the American to retain the belt.

It was a big night for new champions as Raquel Pennington claimed the vacant women’s bantamweight title with a 49-46 x2, 49-45 unanimous decision win over Mayra Bueno Silva.

“It feels surreal... first of all I want to say thank you for this opportunity. It truly means everything. It’s been a long five years to get back to this,” Pennington said post-fight.

Pennington found for the title in 2018 but was knocked out in the fifth round of her clash with now-retired women’s GOAT Amanda Nunes.

5.35pm – We have a new champion

It came right down to the wire, but the South African has taken the belt from Strickland in a split decision!

Du Plessis felt he’d done enough to knock off the American, who was defending his title for the first time.

“I honestly thought with the take-downs, I could feel it was a close fight,” he said afterwards.

“I felt the first three rounds was give and take, but the last two rounds, I know, when he goes past halfway, and I had a point to prove, who says this guy isn’t a five-round fighter.”

Asked what he would like to do next, du Plessis had one answer: “Israel Adesanya, get your a**e back here so we can settle the score.”

Dricus du Plessis calls out his next opponent

5.15pm – Both fighters landing blows

Sean Strickland had the look of a champion through two rounds, showing the calm and poise that allowed him to claim the middleweight belt from Israel Adesanya.

Du Plessis doesn’t look intimidated, however, taking the fight right to the American with a series of punches and kicks, along with a successful round one take-down.

There’s no doubt who the fans are behind.

“Canadians seemingly love Sean as much as Australians,” a commentator said as a Strickland chant broke out among the packed crowd early on.

Sean Strickland had a solid cut opened up on his left eye during the fight.

Du Plessis has a swollen left eye, but UFC legend Daniel Cormier thinks the South African is warming to the contest.

“He’s doing much better at actually reading Strickland,” he said.

Strickland’s trainer also had some concerns after round three.

“I didn’t like that round,” he told his fighter.

“This is where we start looking to drown this guy.”

The South African was taking control from the third round onwards.

thet cut on Strickland's eye is NASTY
— Temporary Chiefs Fan (@whose_house1) January 21, 2024

Strickland defense is amazing #UFC297 nothing is going through
— FourTwenty (@M0BBING) January 21, 2024

5pm – It’s just about time for the main event

Raquel Pennington has got her hands on a long-awaited world title belt after a unanimous decision victory over Mayra Bueno Silva in a brutal co-main event.

The bantamweight contest for the vacant belt went the distance, but Pennington dominated for large periods of the fight and secured her sixth straight win.

That leaves us with the main event, with South African du Plessis and champion Strickland in the Octagon and ready to rumble.

3.45pm – Russian calls out Volkanovski

The undefeated Movsar Evloev moved his career record to 18-0 with a unanimous decision victory over Arnold Allen in the opening clash of the main card.

The versatile Russian showed his all-round skills in a comprehensive victory.

Afterwards he said he expects to take on the winner of the featherweight title bout between Aussie Alex Volkanovski and Ilia Topuria at UFC 298 next month.

“Yeah, I am. I’m 18-0, no joke. I beat everybody and I’m still undefeated,” he said.

“They have no way they don’t let me go for the title.”

Asked if he would go to Australia or Spain for the fight, Evloev said: “Doesn’t matter. I never fought in my house, in my territory, in UFC.

“It doesn’t matter where. Just let me know before, four or five weeks, and I’ll be ready.”

Movsar Evloev (left) has improved his record to a perfect 18-0. (Photo by Vaughn Ridley / GETTY IMAGES NORTH AMERICA / Getty Images via AFP)

Middleweight Chris Curtis then earned a split decision triumph over Marc-Andre Barriault before veteran Neil Magny produced one of the fights of the night.

The 36-year-old American was under immense pressure in the opening two rounds, but managed to turn the tables with his ground and pound game, forcing the ref to stop the fight nearing the end of the third round.

2.30pm – Prelims end in controversy

There was wild confusion in the penultimate fight of the preliminary card between Sean Woodson and Charles Jourdain.

Woodson was declared the winner by Octagon announcer Bruce Buffer after the fight went the distance, but the crowd and Jourdain thought the Canadian’s name had been called out, leading to wild celebrations from the Toronto crowd.

It was eventually cleared up, with American Woodson admitting he also thought Jourdain had been given the win.

One of the weirder moments as Charles Jourdain and Sean Woodson mishear Bruce Buffer announce the winner of their fightâ€¦ pic.twitter.com/pHXJcuZtlZ
— AFeldmanMMA (@afeldMMA) January 21, 2024

“I heard him announce it as split so I knew it was tight,” he said.

“I didn’t even hear who they announced I just saw Charles’ corner celebrating so I assumed he won.

“It was a close fight. I wouldn’t have been calling a robbery or anything like that but I felt like I did enough to win, I could see it going either way.”

Sean Woodson (left) and Charles Jourdain fought a tight contest all the way. (Photo by Vaughn Ridley / GETTY IMAGES NORTH AMERICA / Getty Images via AFP)

1pm – Fighter leaking blood everywhere

The fight card is underway and spare a thought for Serhiy Sidey, who leaked blood all over the octagon during his bantamweight bout against Ramon Taveras.

Sidney copped a blow to his nose early on immediately started bleeding heavily, which restricted his vision and ability to land blows.

Daniel Cormier said in commentary: “Oh my goodness.”

Jon Anik said: “That damage on Sidney is just insane.”

Taveras was awarded the victory via split decision (29-28x2, 28-29)

There was blood all over the octagon. Photo: Main Event.

11.45pm – Drake’s huge bet on UFC champ

Rapper Drake is renowned for placing eye-watering bets on sporting events and he’s done it again, putting USD$700,000 (AUD$1.06 million) on Strickland to win.

Drake bet $500,000 on Israel Adesanya to knock Strickland out, so the American will be hoping he isn’t jinxed by Drake this time around.

Drake will pocket well over a million if Strickland is victorious.

Sean Strickland defends his middleweight title. (Photo by Jeff Bottari/Zuffa LLC via Getty Images)

11.30am – Grudge match set to explode

There is no love lost between Strickland and du Plessis, who got into a wild brawl while sitting ringside last month at UFC 296 in Las Vegas.

Strickland leapt over at least one row of chairs before he started hammering with his right hand to du Plessis’ head, getting in a number of shots before the fight was eventually broken up.

Strickland was seen calmly asking Burns’ wife and son to move aside before using their seats to leap over and attack du Plessis. Security rushed in to stop the pair and Strickland was ushered out of the arena.

11.20am – Challenger’s brush with Djokovic

Dricus du Plessis will be hoping to channel some of Novak Djokovic’s greatness after brushing shoulders with the 10-time Australian Open champion at last year’s Rugby World Cup final.