Dana White’s ‘OUTBURST’ after Sean Strickland and Dricus du Plessis UFC 296 brawl revealed by Gilbert Burns

Gilbert Burns discloses UFC CEO and taskmaster Dana White's reaction to the UFC 296 ringside scuffle.

Dana White’s ‘OUTBURST’ after Sean Strickland and Dricus du Plessis UFC 296 brawl revealed by Gilbert Burns

Dana White got mad at Sean Strickland and Dricus Du Plessis' UFC 296 brawl (Source: Twitter)

The sidelines of UFC 296 saw more heated altercations than within the Octagon. Notwithstanding the welterweight headliner seeing criticism as a mere point-scoring match lacking intensity, there was action elsewhere. Sean Strickland and Dricus Du Plessis engaged in an all-out brawl before UFC 297, with the former lunging at the rival. Now Gilbert Burns has weighed in on the matter candidly.

The South African and the middleweight champion engaged in a heated banter after UFC 296’s media day presser. Recently, Burns revealed the motivations of the titleholder Strickland, going into that brawl. And how UFC helmsman Dana White reacted to the Las Vegas T-Mobile Arena scuffle. Speaking during an interview with former UFC lightweight contender Quinton “Rampage” Jackson on his “Jaxxon” podcast he said:

Dana got mad at them. Dana got it, he came. He was just asking, 'Hey, is anyone going?' Everybody’s good? 'Yeah, we good, whatever, for sure.' I guess he got mad at the guys a little bit because that could go one worse, you know? That could go bad...
Gilbert Burns on JAXXON podcast
YouTube video

White’s sentiment was justified with kids in the crowd. But Bruna Burns, the wife of the 22-6 welterweight striker had previously stated that “Tarzan” had “politely asked us to move” before lunging. Now Burns himself stated in the interview that Strickland might have premeditated the matter.

FS Video

Many other peers and MMA pundits had overtly criticized the matter as well. Color commentator Joe Rogan had even sneered at the “psychopathic” behavior on the champion’s part. Even weeks after, the incident still keeps gaining traction with newer tidbits and details emerging.

Sean Strickland gave “Heads-Up” that UFC 296 skirmish could be coming

Gilbert Burns was on full guard as he sat in the immediate vicinity of Sean Strickland at UFC 296. Because, unlike other spectators, he was prematurely aware of the brawl with the South African middleweight phenom. “Tarzan” lunged at Dricus Du Plessis, his UFC 297 opponent, seemingly after provocation for a face-off that Du Plessis mouthed off. Now, speaking at the “Jaxxon” podcast, Burns detailed that he knew it was coming.

Gilbert Burns reveals Sean Strickland planned his brawl with UFC 297 rival Dricus Du Plessis
Gilbert Burns reveals Sean Strickland planned his brawl with UFC 297 rival Dricus Du Plessis (Source: IMAGO/Twitter)

Burns’ wife, Bruna, told MMA Fighting that her family is doing well in the aftermath of the incident, and of a forewarning. Conversely, Burns revealed that Strickland had already told him in advance something might happen. Here’s what he had to say on the matter:

When Sean came, he came and then he kind of looked at the guy, I think he’s already like, ‘Man, s***. You brought your wife and your kids?’ I said, ‘Yes.’ He said, ‘Yeah, this frickin’ guy is right there. I might do stuff with this guy.’ That was before the fight, when he walked in, he already had the thing in his head: ‘If I do something, I’ll give you the heads up.’ Whenever the thing started going down, this guy kind of looked at me and said, ‘Now'...
Gilbert Burns on the Sean Strickland fight

Strickland and Du Plessis are officially on the card for UFC 297 on January 20th. So any injury from the melee could have been a blow to their actual square-off. Fortunately, Burns revealed no serious damage even from close range.

In case you missed it: