Sean Strickland rematch or Israel Adesanya next? UFC champ Dricus Du Plessis opens vote to fans

March 15, 2024 7:15 pm ET

UFC middleweight champion Dricus Du Plessis is willing to consider fighting Sean Strickland again.

Du Plessis (21-2 MMA, 7-0 UFC) defeated Strickland by split decision to claim the 185-pound title at UFC 297 in January. He is projected to make his first title defense against Israel Adesanya – a fight the promotion tried to make for UFC 300 on April 13. Du Plessis turned it down due to not being recovered from injuries yet.

Strickland (28-6 MMA, 15-6 UFC) argued that he was robbed and called for a rematch. Du Plessis didn’t shut him down and instead pivoted to the fans to get their input.

“Since this is a spectator sport What do you guys think @SStricklandMMA or @stylebender Just for the record it makes absolutely no difference to me the result will be the same.”

Since this is a spectator sport
What do you guys think? @SStricklandMMA or @stylebender
Just for the record it makes absolutely no difference to me the result will be the same.

— Dricus Du Plessis (@dricusduplessis) March 15, 2024

During the UFC 297 post-fight news conference, UFC CEO Dana White said he scored the fight for Strickland, after having it tied 2-2 going into Round 5. Du Plessis saw it completely differently.

“I agree I won 4 in a row.”

I agree I won 4 in a row

— Dricus Du Plessis (@dricusduplessis) March 15, 2024

Adesanya (24-3 MMA, 13-3 UFC) hasn’t competed since losing his middleweight title to Strickland this past September at UFC 293. He announced that he’d be taking some time off, but is already ready to compete again.

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