South Africa Celebrates Historic UFC Victory
In a historic moment for South African MMA, Dricus Du Plessis claimed the UFC middleweight championship by defeating Sean Strickland in a closely contested battle in Toronto on Saturday night.
The judges’ scorecards reflected the intensity of the match, with a split decision of 48-47, 47-48, and 48-47 in favour of the new champion, Dricus Du Plessis (21-2).
Embed from Getty ImagesOverwhelmed with emotion, Dricus Du Plessis exclaimed, ‘This is history!‘ as he dedicated the victory to his homeland, praising the incredible support from South Africa.
Clean Competition Amidst Tension
Despite a tense build-up marked by toxicity, the actual bout between Du Plessis and Strickland showcased a level of clean and pure competition rarely witnessed. Initially, at odds, the fighters had reconciled after a month of tension that had reached its peak at UFC 296 when they engaged in a public altercation in the crowd during the Las Vegas event.
Unlikely Showdown with a Fiery Background
The animosity between the two fighters originated from Dricus Du Plessis bringing up Strickland’s traumatic childhood and alleged abusive upbringing.
Embed from Getty ImagesThis backdrop added a layer of drama to the unexpected title clash between two individuals whose paths to championship contention were unforeseen a year ago.
Dricus Du Plessis vs Sean Strickland
Rounds 1-3: Sharp Start and Shifting Dynamics
Sean Strickland showcased precision in the early rounds, displaying a sharp and tight stance with well-timed kicks. Dricus Du Plessis, though landing heavy body kicks, appeared ragged.
Embed from Getty ImagesThe South African fighter adapted in the second round, utilizing increased output to regain control. Despite securing takedowns, both fighters showed signs of damage, with Du Plessis’ left eye swollen.
Rounds 4-5: Decisive Shifts and Sensational Finale
Dricus Du Plessis continued his momentum in the later rounds, mixing strikes effectively and securing takedowns. Sean Strickland, aware of the urgency, chased the fight in the fourth round but failed to turn the tide with Du Plessis winning the UFC middleweight championship.
Embed from Getty ImagesThe final round witnessed both fighters raising their hands in a show of respect. Strickland, covered in blood, delivered a superb last five minutes, earning praise from Du Plessis for his impactful jab.
Post-Fight Reflections and Potential Rematch
Dricus Du Plessis acknowledged the competitiveness, expressing gratitude to Strickland for bringing out the best in him. Strickland, anticipating a war from the start, acknowledged the intensity of the match.
Embed from Getty ImagesGiven the closeness of the fight, discussions about a rematch emerged. Still, the return of Israel Adesanya and the emergence of Khamzat Chimaev added intrigue to the future direction of the middleweight division.
Co-Main Event: Raquel Pennington Claims Women’s Bantamweight Title
In the co-main event, Raquel Pennington secured the vacant women’s bantamweight title with a display of heart and resilience against Marya Bueno Silva.
Embed from Getty ImagesPennington’s victory, with scores of 29-26, 29-26, and 29-25, marked a surreal moment for her after a challenging five-year journey.
Other Highlights from the Card
Arnold Allen faced a setback against Movsar Evloev in the main card’s curtain raiser, while Sam Patterson provided better news for British fans by winning his preliminary fight with a first-round submission.
The outcomes added further layers of excitement and anticipation to an eventful night of UFC action.
Congratulations to Dricus Du Plessis for securing the title of the new UFC Middleweight Champion, and commiserations to Sean Strickland. Both athletes delivered an exceptional performance, ensuring the fans received outstanding value for their investment tonight.
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