“From ‘free speech guy’ to ‘whiny hypocrite'” – Sean Strickland gets FLAMED for threatening to stab Dricus du Plessis over trash talk

UFC middleweight champion Sean Strickland issues a dire ultimatum to Dricus Du Plessis' comments about his abusive childhood.

“From ‘free speech guy’ to ‘whiny hypocrite'” – Sean Strickland gets FLAMED for threatening to stab Dricus du Plessis over trash talk

Dricus Du Plessis answers the threat from Sean Strickland (via IMAGO/X)

Emotions and pent-up anger leading up to the actual fight run very high. So much so that the anger transitions to physical emotions inside and outside the ring. After fans gibed Israel Adesanya’s revelation of the ‘kill or be killed’ thought process recently, it’s his counterpart’s turn now. This comes in light of 28-5-0 Sean Strickland‘s maiden defense against Dricus Du Plessis at UFC 297.

Speaking at the UFC 296 Media Day presser, along with Sean O’Malley, “Stillnocks” had overtly dissed Strickland. So the next time he saw the South African phenom mouthing off at UFC 296 (ringside), he didn’t hold back. Conversely, speaking at ‘The Man Dance Podcast‘ episode 4 with Chris Curtis, he nudged in being ready to do so yet again.

I actually sent him a f**ing message and I was like, 'Dude, listen, Dricus, we're going to go try to murder each other, but if you bring that st up again, I will f**king stab you. Press conference, weigh in.
Sean Strickland via The Man Dance Podcast
YouTube video

This comes in light of the 20-2 middleweight contender Du Plessis bringing forth Strickland’s childhood in the conference. Strickland, famed for his unfiltered demeanor, attacked the opponent amidst the crowd. Now, the unhinged 185lbs titleholder vows to stab Dricus Du Plessis if he does the same at the weigh-in/thereafter.

FS Video

But fight fans have not acclimated well to the situation. A prime reaction retorted – Final stage in heel turn from “free speech guy” to “whiny hypocrite.“ Though gaining the largest fan boost in 2023, and winning multiple accolades, this might just be the pitfall of “Tarzan.”

Fans react to Sean Strickland’s warning to rival Dricus Du Plessis

The UFC middleweight champion issued a direct threat to Dricus du Plessis on a podcast, on Monday after an ugly run-up to the first pay-per-view of 2024. Having mentioned his childhood abuse, Du Plessis faced the wrath of Strickland at UFC 296. The opponent had jumped him, leaping over a row of seats at the T-Mobile Arena after being provoked by his callouts.

Fans react to Sean Strickland vowing to stab Dricus Du Plessis
Fans react to Sean Strickland vowing to stab Dricus Du Plessis (Source: Twitter)

In an emotional interview in ‘This Past Weekend with Theo Von‘ podcast, Strickland later addressed the matter. Now, Strickland vows to take the squabble to another level if it passes to be. And here’s how some fight fans have consequently reacted to the matter:

Many fans have thus sneered at the fighter for dishing out insults but not being able to take it. A lot of fans have also quipped that it would not be uncharacteristically unsuitable for him to do so.

UFC 297’s title bout main event takes place on January 21, 2024, at Scotiabank Arena, Toronto, Canada.

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