“Canada threatened to pull me” – Sean Strickland sends final plea to UFC for Dricus Du Plessis title rematch

Sean Strickland wants a title rematch. He became the UFC middleweight champion by surprising everybody and defeating Israel Adesanya at UFC 293. However, his time as the reigning champion was cut short by Dricus Du Plessis. 

The South African challenged Strickland at UFC 297 for the middleweight title. Moreover, he was successful in dethroning Sean Strickland. A few months have passed since the fight and ‘Tarzan’ has constantly asked for a rematch. Recently, the fighter took to X and wrote:

The UFC fans want me and Dricus to settle it. Dricus wants to settle it. We all know I fought in a dirty liberal country who f**ked me. Dana knows it. The UFC knows it.

Sean Strickland via X

According to Strickland, the fight fans wanted to see him fight Dricus Du Plessis again, and it should happen. The fighter claimed that he was robbed in that fight because he fought in a liberal country like Canada. A fan commented underneath the tweet, saying that it would just show that the promotion purposefully caused him to lose if it doesn’t offer a rematch. Stickland doubled down and replied to the fan tweet:

No man it is a fact... Trust me... Canada absolutely hated me and threatened to pull me.

Sean Strickland via X

Strickland might have ruffled several feathers when during the pre-fight press conferences at UFC 297. The fighter argued with a journalist about the LGBTQ+ community. Despite the ideological difference, Strickland and Du Plessis had a very close. Even UFC CEO Dana White felt it. Hence, one could argue a rematch might be in order.

What did Dana White say about Sean Strickland vs. Dricus Du Plessis?

Sean Strickland’s fight with Dricus du Plessis was very close. It garnered mixed reactions from fight fans. Contrary to what the judges decided, Dana White had Strickland winning the fight. 

During the post-fight press conference at UFC 297, the UFC CEO revealed how he scored it. He thought the defending champion won the fight in the last round. This is what White said: 

I had it 2-2 going into the last round and I thought that Strickland won the last round. Guys who were sitting at the same table had it the other way. It was a close fight.

Dana White via UFC 297 post-fight press conference

White praised both fighters for their efforts in front of the crowd. The controversial fight result had many fans wanting a rematch. However, Dana White and the UFC want Israel Adesanya to challenge for the title next. Reports also suggested that the matchup would happen in UFC’s return to Australia this year.

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