“Why don’t you cry about it…AGAIN” – Sean Strickland eye stitches revealed with Dricus du Plessis passing sly remark of head butt

Sean Strickland claims the headbutt was the reason he lost the fight.

“Why don’t you cry about it…AGAIN” – Sean Strickland eye stitches revealed with Dricus du Plessis passing sly remark of head butt

Sean Strickland alleges that the headbutt caused him to lose the fight (via MMA Fighting)

The plot has taken an unexpected turn following UFC 297’s main event. Dricus Du Plessis just won the middleweight championship by a split decision over reigning champion Sean Strickland. Strickland, who sustained an eye cut early in the fourth round, has alleged on social media that Du Plessis’ headbutt contributed to his loss. Du Plessis had some words of his own for the former champion’s revelation.

Sean Strickland took to Instagram to share a video of the supposed head-butt incident. He also put up a snapshot of the sutures used to seal the wound on his eye. This is what the caption of the post said: 

I didn't take the coward's way out and tell the doctor I couldn't see and got a no contest... The only reason why you took a round from me is because I couldn't see.. I won that fight, the world knows I won that fight.
Sean Strickland via Instagram
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UFC CEO Dana White, who initially declared that he scored the bout for Strickland, also stated that he was fine with Du Plessis winning. Despite the criticism surrounding the decision, the promotion appears to be continuing forward without an immediate rematch. 

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The picture of Strickland’s sutures, as well as the subsequent social media dialogue between the fighters, adds drama to their rivalry. It also raises concerns about the influence of similar instances on the MMA judging process. 

Dricus Du Plessis responds to Sean Strickland’s headbutt claims

Dricus Du Plessis, the newly minted middleweight champion following UFC 297, quickly replied to Sean Strickland’s assertion that a headbutt contributed to his loss in the main event. Strickland, the former champion, turned to Instagram to share a video of the claimed head butt incident. He also put up a snap of the stitches used to seal a gash above his eye.

Dricus Du Plessis disagrees with Sean Strickland's claim about headbutt
Dricus Du Plessis disagrees with Sean Strickland’s claim about headbutt (via MMA Fighting)

However, Dricus Du Plessis was unconvinced by Strickland’s claim. He responded to Strickland’s Instagram post. He had previously expressed his disagreement with the premise that the claimed head butt affected Strickland. Du Plessis appeared to insist on the legitimacy of his victory, claiming that the cut did not jeopardize Strickland’s vision sufficiently to warrant a different result. This is what he replied on Strickland’s post:

Why don’t you cry about it… AGAIN.
Dricus Du Plessis replying to Sean Strickland’s post on Instagram

The social media exchange between the two competitors heightened the atmosphere surrounding UFC 297. Du Plessis, although appreciating the fighter’s ferocity and toughness, supported the judge’s decision and defended his performance.

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