Despite Sean Strickland losing a split decision to Dricus du Plessis in the UFC 297 main event, UFC CEO Dana White believes Strickland deserved the win.
Sean Strickland didn’t clinch the victory in his UFC 297 main event against Dricus du Plessis. It was a split decision, but Dana White, UFC CEO, begs to differ.
According to White, it was a nail-biter. Both fighters had their shining moments. He doesn’t discredit du Plessis’ efforts, but if he were the judge, Strickland would’ve walked out of Toronto with the UFC middleweight title still in his possession.
“Media scores were split down the middle,” White commented post-fight at UFC 297. “I had it 2-2 going into the last round. I thought Strickland took the last round. Some folks at my table thought otherwise. It was a close one.”
Strickland started strong, his lead jab dishing out some serious damage. But du Plessis? He weathered it, then dished out some of his own in the bloody, tit-for-tat fight.
White had nothing but praise for Strickland’s performance. Especially his footwork, which played a significant role in his title win last September.
“Strickland was on fire in the first two rounds,” White stated. “His jab? Freakin’ beautiful. You don’t see jabs like that often in MMA. It did its job. Both of du Plessis’ eyes were swelling shut. He slowed in the third and fourth, but du Plessis? He kept pushing, mixing takedowns and punches.”
In White’s eyes, the fight hinged on the last five minutes. Interestingly, all three judges agreed that Strickland took that round.
“I had it even going into the fifth round. This was the round to see who wanted it more,” White said. “They both started to amp it up. It was a tight one, but I’m a firm believer that you have to snatch it from the champ.”
Despite his personal take on the decision, White didn’t claim foul play. He didn’t feel du Plessis didn’t deserve his victory lap as the new UFC middleweight champion. Safe to say, du Plessis didn’t agree with White’s scoring.
“Just to clarify, are there folks who think I lost?” du Plessis asked at the post-fight press conference. “Dana thinks I lost? Well, that’s bull.”
Right after his win, du Plessis didn’t waste time. He called out ex-champ Israel Adesanya. They were supposed to meet last year, but an injury sidelined du Plessis. Strickland stepped in and made the most of it.
It’s uncertain if the UFC will pivot to du Plessis vs. Adesanya next. It’s a possibility, especially with Strickland likely back in the contender’s line.
Regardless of how White scored the fight, or the split decision ending of the UFC 297 main event, he conceded it’s highly unlikely Strickland would face du Plessis again soon.
“These two will probably end up fighting again, I’m sure,” White said. “But an immediate rematch? We’re not considering that right now.”