Dricus Du Plessis responds to harsh critique on Sean Strickland’s UFC 312 performance: “It’s complicated”
UFC Champ Dricus Du Plessis responds to harsh criticism of Sean Strickland following his monotonous UFC 312 PPV title performance.
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Dricus Du Plessis defends Sean Strickland after his performance at UFC 312 (Source: X)
UFC middleweight champion Dricus Du Plessis has given his thoughts on the barrage of criticism directed at Sean Strickland. In the aftermath of their rematch, the MMA community hasn’t been kind to the controversial nature of Strickland. The middleweight title bout was the UFC 312 PPV feature main event at Qudos Bank Arena in Sydney.
Du Plessis somehow worked his way around Strickland’s tight defense in the first fight. This time, Strickland struggled to increase his activity as the fight wore on, and DDP secured an easy lopsided decision. The champion even broke his nose and bloodied with his striking clinic. “Tarzan” and his brash ‘character’ could not fulfill his war promise once again. Recently, DDP spoke about the broken promises.
It’s complicated, …because I’ve said it before the fight, Strickland has his way. And if you don’t give him his way, it just shuts him down in a way, …But that being said — everyone criticizing Sean Strickland hasn’t had to stand in front of me. So, when you’re in there with me it’s a completely different story. When your nose broke the way his nose broke, you’re in a situation where if you’re just going forward and fighting, it’s not very easy…
Dricus Du Plessis on “The Ariel Helwani Show” for ‘Uncrowned’ Combat
As Dricus Du Plessis (23-2 MMA, 9-0 UFC) puts Strickland in the rear-view, he makes a strong case as a top-three middleweights of all time. Du Plessis’ nine-fight UFC win streak at middleweight is the longest active. But DDP said that this wasn’t a case of “Strickland bad” but more like “Du Plessis good” attributing to his unique blitz-striking.
This marks the second such case that has lauded Sean Strickland for ‘fixing his nose‘ and getting on with the strike-heavy game. Other analysts and MMA notables have also lashed back against the hate-piling. Strickland dropped to 7-4 since returning to the 185-pound division in October 2020. So far, he has only lost to champions and title challengers in the middleweight division.
Eric Nicksick laments criticism of Sean Strickland so soon after UFC 312
With time to think, Xtreme Couture head coach Eric Nicksick wishes he didn’t speak out so quickly about Sean Strickland’s loss at UFC 312. Strickland was the victim of a dominant performance by UFC middleweight champion Dricus Du Plessis. Infamous for his basic style of fighting, he didn’t do anything different to push DDP in the later frames.
Nicksick bundled up the thought saying he’s contemplating coaching Tarzan if he does not show initiative to rush for a win. Strickland did go on a rampage before saying Canadian leftists left him dry with a split decision loss at the UFC 297 PPV headliner.
Strickland’s response to Nicksick’s comments was that he probably wouldn’t have him in his corner for future fights. Even UFC HOF Daniel Cormier disagreed with Nicksick’s remarks and questioned the coach for wanting to advise one type of fighter – I.E. – Champions. Now, Strickland’s coach regrets “The Ariel Helwani Show” appearance where he jumped the gun on his thoughts.
It was very disappointing to hear where his headspace was and what his thought process was about being a champion or all these things. That’s personal, …I should’ve known better. I took that energy and had to process that while I go on Ariel’s show. I f*cked up. I f*cked up. … I made a miscalculation in that moment in ever accepting to go on the show.
Eric Nicksick on the ‘Verse Us Podcast with Eric Nicksick’ (@vsuswithericnicksick)
Nicksick said he didn’t necessarily regret being critical of Strickland. However, the coach said he could have worded his thoughts better. It’s relatively all very mild in a world where Strickland catches fire every other day. He said even the American fighter himself texted him later on, adjusting to his thought process.
Furthermore, Nicksick said that Strickland opened up about his mindset in the weeks leading up to the fight 30 minutes before he went on Helwani’s show. The lack of drive was what got him down and threw him for a loop.
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