Du Plessis Vows To Stop Strickland – ‘I’m Prepared For A War’

February 5, 2025
7 days
Du Plessis Vows To Stop Strickland - 'I’m Prepared For A War'

Dricus Du Plessis has promised to stop Sean Strickland inside the distance at their UFC 312 fight this weekend. 

It is a rematch of their UFC 297 clash. Du Plesiss won that fight via a split decision to become the UFC Middleweight Champion. It was a controversial win, with many believing Sean had done enough to win. Strickland came back stronger with a win against Paulo Costa. Meanwhile, Du Plessis defended his title against Israel Adesanya in an upset win at UFC 304.

Coming into this fight, Strickland has told Du Plessis to meet him in the center of the octagon rather than grappling. Du Plessis has only gone the distance twice, with his wins over Strickland and Brad Tavares. That has created the narrative that Du Plessis could stop his man, especially since he has been in the octagon with him. The South African has backed himself to do that. 

Du Plessis Reacts

“In my whole career, I’ve only went the distance twice and both have been incredible fights; I don’t mind the distance if it’s an entertaining fight, I’ve never had a boring fight in my life… And in this fight, I know I can finish the job [inside the distance]. I don’t see this fight going – I mean, we might see the championship rounds in rounds four and five – but there’s just no way that we’re seeing the final bell… I’m prepared for a stand-up war, I’m prepared for the ground game, and I’m prepared to do whatever’s necessary [to win] this fight,” Du Plessis said 

Strickland is doing everything he can to reclaim his title. He will have the UFC Light Heavyweight Champion Alex Pereira in his corner. Strickland faced Pereira at UFC 276. Alex knocked him out in the first round before going on to become a two-weight world champion. Pereira has won the title at middleweight and lost it.

Strickland And Pereira

Sean will have someone who has gone through a similar experience. They have also sparred with each other on regular occasions. But whether that results in a successful game plan is anyone’s guess. Michael Bisping and Daniel Cormier were worried by Alex’s presence, leaving Sean with plenty to think about. 

“DC thinks it’s a bad idea. I’ve got a theory on why he’s saying that. The reality is, for Alex Pereira, flying to the other side of the world a few weeks before his title fight against Magomed Ankalaev, that a lot of people think is the toughest matchup for him at 205, and I’ll probably agree with that, as well.

“They think it’s a bad idea. Daniel Cormier said once you go to Australia, you got to deal with jet lag, different food. The training regimen won’t be the same, and all the rest of it. They are all valid points, and by the way, the whole time Pereira is doing that Magomed Ankalaev is working his ass off,” Bisping said 

Find all the latest boxing news and MMA breaking updates on boxingnews.com.



THANK YOU FOR CHOOSING boxingnews.COM

TAGS
COMMENTS

RELATED NEWS