Dricus du Plessis is the UFC middleweight champion of the world after a split decision over Sean Strickland at UFC 297.
Du Plessis went five hard rounds – a first for him in his long MMA career – and captured two of three judges’ scorecards by scores of 48-47 to pick up his seventh UFC win and the middleweight title on Saturday night. One judge dissented 48-47 for Strickland, who was denied his first title defense after a massive upset win over Israel Adesanya this past year.
Here’s how fighters reacted to the UFC 297 main event between Dricus du Plessis and Sean Strickland.
That was a fun fight! Congrats to the new champ! #ufc297
— Corey ‘Overtime’ Anderson (@CoreyA_MMA) January 21, 2024
Bo Nickal really gonna get a middleweight title shot in the next 8 months #UFC297
— Joe Joe Giannetti (@Giannettimma) January 21, 2024
This fight shows how important a cut man can be. Blood looks bad and it never stopped once he got cut. It could have an affect on the scoring in close fights
— Josh Thomson (@THEREALPUNK) January 21, 2024
Really didn’t expect Dricus to be able to fight that hard 25 minutes. Very impressed.
— Funky (@Benaskren) January 21, 2024
Damn I’m going 48-47 Strickland but I think very good chance DDP gets the nod.
— Funky (@Benaskren) January 21, 2024
South Africa, you have a champion!
DDP looked great tonight.. cardio was solid, patient, and very smart, mixing in those takedowns and showing different looks..
Very impressive performance #UFC297
— Megan Anderson (@MeganAnderson) January 21, 2024
This story originally appeared on MMA fighting