Current:Home > InvestDricus Du Plessis outpoints Sean Strickland at UFC 297 to win the undisputed middleweight belt -Edge Finance Strategies
Dricus Du Plessis outpoints Sean Strickland at UFC 297 to win the undisputed middleweight belt
View
Date:2025-04-12 11:26:34
TORONTO (AP) — The hostility brewing between Sean Strickland and Dricus Du Plessis finally hit its boiling point at UFC 297 on Saturday night.
The two battled through five rounds, taking the bout to the distance, but in the end it was Du Plessis taking Strickland’s middleweight belt after bloodying the former champ over his left eye and winning a split decision.
Judges Derek Cleary and Eric Colon scored the bout 48-47 in favor of Du Plessis, while Sal D’Amato had it 48-47 for Strickland.
“This is history!” Du Plessis (21-2) screamed in honor of his homeland. “South Africa ... we can probably hear them from outside. That country is amazing.”
It was December when Du Plessis referenced Strickland’s abusive relationship with his father. Strickland let it be known that would not be tolerated, and violent recourse would result.
At UFC 296 in December, Strickland jumped over a row of seats and threw punches at Du Plessis — which both said was nowhere near a publicity stunt.
Nothing about the fight was nowhere near a stunt, as the two traded blows, both delivering severe blows, especially in the latter rounds.
Despite the tension leading up to fight night, Du Plessis gave Strickland (28-6) his just due afterward.
“Every time he hits you with that jab it feels like someone hit you with a rock. You are one heck of a man, thank you for bringing out the best of me tonight,” Du Plessis said. “The first three rounds were give and take, but the last two, I was desperate rounds four and five.”
To which Strickland later replied: “I called it from day one — it was going to be a war.”
At FanDuel, the fight closed a pick’em with both priced at -108, which means a bettor would have to lay $108 to win $100.
Raquel Pennington (16-9-0) beat Mayra Bueno Silva (10-3-1) by unanimous decision to claim the vacant women’s bantamweight championship in the co-main event. Pennington was listed as the underdog in the match.
Neil Magny (29-12-0) stopped Mike Malott (10-2-1) at the 4:45 mark of the third round of their welterweight match.
Chris Curtis (31-10-0) took a split decision over Marc-Andre Barriault (16-7-0) in their middleweight bout. Curtis took two scores of 30-27 Curtis, while Barriault won 29-28 on a third scorecard.
In the first match on the undercard, Movsar Evloev remained undefeated (17-0-0) with a unanimous decision over Arnold Allen (19-3-0). All three judges scored it 29-28. Evloev, who owns the second-longest active winning streak in the UFC featherweight division (7), ran his overall UFC win streak to eight straight.
veryGood! (11)
Related
- McConnell absent from Senate on Thursday as he recovers from fall in Capitol
- Where's Wally? Emotional support alligator who gives hugs and kisses is missing in Georgia
- Texans receiver Tank Dell suffers minor wound in shooting at Florida party venue, team says
- Iconic arch that served as Iditarod finish line collapses in Alaska. Wood rot is likely the culprit
- $73.5M beach replenishment project starts in January at Jersey Shore
- GOP leaders still can’t overcome the Kansas governor’s veto to enact big tax cuts
- Over 80,000 pounds of deli meat recalled across multiple states due to lacking inspection
- Chiefs, Travis Kelce agree to two-year extension to make him highest-paid TE in NFL
- Who are the most valuable sports franchises? Forbes releases new list of top 50 teams
- Jason Kelce joining ESPN's 'Monday Night Countdown' pregame coverage, per report
Ranking
- Off the Grid: Sally breaks down USA TODAY's daily crossword puzzle, Triathlon
- Workers’ paychecks grew faster in the first quarter, a possible concern for the Fed
- Mississippi lawmakers expected to vote on Medicaid expansion plan with work requirement
- Kristaps Porzingis could be latest NBA star to be sidelined during playoffs
- Charges tied to China weigh on GM in Q4, but profit and revenue top expectations
- Legendary football coach Knute Rockne receives homecoming, reburied on Notre Dame campus
- Report: NFL veteran receiver Jarvis Landry to join Jaguars rookie camp in comeback bid
- How many 'Harry Potter' books are there? Every wizarding book in order of release.
Recommendation
Tarte Shape Tape Concealer Sells Once Every 4 Seconds: Get 50% Off Before It's Gone
Britney Spears settles legal battle with father Jamie Spears after conservatorship: Reports
Proof Sydney Sweeney’s Wedding to Jonathan Davino Is Sooner Than You Think
GaxEx Global Perspective: Breaking through Crypto Scams, Revealing the Truth about Exchange Profits
Rylee Arnold Shares a Long
Find Out How Much Money Travis Kelce Will Make With Kansas City Chiefs After New NFL Deal
GaxEx: Ushering in a New Era of Secure and Convenient Global Cryptocurrency Trading
Teen charged with murder of beloved California middle-school teacher