3 times Sean Strickland and Dricus du Plessis shocked fans with trash talk

Personal insults and intense trash talk are major reasons for the animosity between Sean Strickland and Dricus Du Plessis.


3 times Sean Strickland and Dricus du Plessis shocked fans with trash talk

Sean Strickland and Dricus Du Plessis at UFC 297 pre-fight press conference (Image via NY Post)

The UFC middleweight division has consistently featured some of the most dominant champions in its history. Former champions Anderson Silva and Israel Adesanya serve as prime examples of this legacy. Currently, South African fighter Dricus Du Plessis holds the championship title, while American fighter Sean Strickland is ranked as the top contender.

Interestingly, Sean Strickland and Dricus Du Plessis have already faced each other once before. They fought at the UFC 297 PPV event for the 185 lbs title. In that bout, Strickland lost to Du Plessis by split decision. Leading up to their fight, the two had a significant amount of back-and-forth banter that generated considerable interest in the MMA community.

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Over the years, the UFC community has witnessed numerous engaging rivalries marked by intense animosity. One notable example is the rivalry between Khabib Nurmagomedov and Conor McGregor. Similarly, Strickland and Du Plessis have developed a heated hostility towards each other. Leading up to their clash, the two exchanged some brutal verbal jabs. Here are three key instances of trash talk directed between Strickland and Du Plessis.

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3. The celebratory ‘kissing’ antic of Dricus Du Plessis

Every UFC fighter has their unique celebratory moments after achieving victory. Dricus Du Plessis, the South African fighter, does something controversial that captures the attention of the entire community—he kisses his coach as part of his celebration. Interestingly, Sean Strickland is well aware of Du Plessis’s habit of kissing someone of the same gender.

Sean Strickland and Dricus Du Plessis in a back-and-forth exchange
Sean Strickland and Dricus Du Plessis in a back-and-forth exchange (Image via YouTube)

During their pre-fight face-off, the American fighter made a humorous comment about his South American opponent. According to reports, Strickland told UFC CEO Dana White that he didn’t want to get too close to Du Plessis because he might end up getting kissed. However, that didn’t happen, as the American fighter maintained a safe distance from the South African fighter.

2. Dricus Du Plessis brings up Tarzan’s traumatic past

Unlike the playful mockery of the ‘kissing’ incident, the exchanges between Sean Strickland and Dricus Du Plessis were much more serious. Notably, ‘Tarzan’ Strickland has frequently talked about his traumatic past in various forums. The American fighter experienced an abusive childhood, enduring both physical and emotional harm from his father.

Dricus Du Plessis in action against Sean Strickland
Dricus Du Plessis in action against Sean Strickland (Image via Bleacher Report)

During their pre-fight press conference, Du Plessis took a personal jab at Strickland. The South African claimed he would defeat Strickland in the same manner his father used to beat him during childhood. This remark angered the American fighter, escalating their rivalry into a more heated and contentious feud. However, later, Du Plessis did apologize for his remarks on Strickland’s traumatic past.

1. Sean Strickland retaliates with a violent warning

Interestingly, before an apology came from Dricus Du Plessis, Sean Strickland seemed to retaliate. The American fighter is known for his violent personality and often makes appearances with lethal weapons. After Du Plessis took a shot at him, Strickland did not hesitate to lash out at the South African fighter. Among his mild warnings, the American fighter also vowed to end Du Plessis’ career.

Dricus Du Plessis after winning against Sean Strickland at UFC 297
Dricus Du Plessis after winning against Sean Strickland at UFC 297 (Image via MMA Fighting)

However, that didn’t happen, as the South African fighter still reigns as the undisputed UFC middleweight champion. Although trash talk is a part of the sport, the brutal nature of the comments exchanged between Strickland and Du Plessis shocked many fans. Interestingly, in just a few days, these two UFC middleweight fighters are scheduled to clash against each other again at UFC 312.

Currently, both Du Plessis and Strickland have maintained a respectful tone and haven’t made personal attacks against each other. However, this could change, as they have yet to face each other directly. The two UFC middleweight fighters are set to meet at the pre-fight press conference on Thursday, February 6th. Given their backgrounds, this is sure to be an intriguing event for many in the UFC community.

Related: Sean Strickland Net Worth, Endorsements, UFC contract, Wife and House