Sean Strickland, who was previously the middleweight champion in the UFC, displayed unease and discomfort in handling the obligations that come with being a titleholder. His recent behavior, which involved making death threats, participating in a brawl at a UFC event, and expressing controversial views in the media, can be seen as actions that undermine or harm his own standing and reputation in the sport. This behavior might be considered a form of self-sabotage, as it negatively impacts his image and potentially puts his career at risk.

This is a speculative theory suggesting that if Sean Strickland genuinely valued the position of being a UFC champion, it would be challenging to understand why he would willingly expose himself to certain risks and engage in controversial actions since winning the belt from Israel Adesanya, a victory considered one of the biggest upsets in UFC history. The notion of being a "rational actor" in this context implies making decisions in a sensible and well-considered manner. However, the statement playfully acknowledges the challenge of associating the term "rational" with Strickland, hinting at the unpredictable or unconventional nature of his decisions and actions.

Strickland lost his title in a split decision (47-48, 48-47, 48-47) to Dricus Du Plessis on a Saturday night. The term "indefatigable" used to describe Du Plessis suggests that he was tireless or showed great stamina in the fight. The statement reflects on the past four months as being peculiar or unusual for Strickland, the UFC organization, and the middleweight division, possibly due to the unpredictable events or circumstances surrounding Strickland's behavior and the dynamics within the division.

“I honestly thought I did enough — I thought I had it. And then when that split decision came, I just went, ‘OK, this is 100 per cent 50-50,’” Du Plessis said. “And then when they said, ‘And New,’ it felt like 15 years of work and dreaming and sacrificing of everything came together in one single sentence. It’s incredible. It feels surreal. It’s amazing.”

Dricus Du Plessis, who may not be characterized as highly technically skilled, but commendably elevated his performance in significant ways at Scotiabank Arena. In this instance, he successfully defeated Strickland, extending his remarkable seven-fight win streak since joining the UFC. Furthermore, Du Plessis achieved the historic feat of becoming the promotion's first South African champion. The emphasis is on Du Plessis' ability to enhance his game and achieve notable success, despite not being widely recognized for technical proficiency.

In his initial ascent through the UFC middleweight ranks, Dricus Du Plessis defied expectations, showcasing an unconventional stand-up style characterized as awkward and clunky. Despite facing challenges such as quick fatigue and visible mouth breathing, Du Plessis, with his imposing physical presence, relied on sheer force, executing bull-rushing takedowns and overwhelming opponents. However, skepticism loomed regarding the effectiveness of this approach against more skillful adversaries at higher competition levels.

Dricus Du Plessis underwent a septum repair that proved transformative, significantly enhancing his cardiovascular endurance and overall performance. In his subsequent fight against Robert Whittaker in July, marking his return post-surgery, Du Plessis demonstrated notable improvements. These included agile stance switches, precise strikes targeting the legs and body, and successfully executing takedowns against a former champion renowned for strong takedown defense. In the recent bout against Strickland, Du Plessis exhibited refined stamina management, strategic defensive adjustments, and succeeded in pressuring Strickland, known for being one of the sport's most persistent pressure fighters, ultimately putting him on the defensive. This showcases the positive impact of Du Plessis' septum repair on multiple facets of his fighting style and overall performance.

“It's a lot easier said than done to keep him on the backfoot,” Du Plessis said. “He doesn’t storm forward, but he has a strong march. The way he moves, it makes it hard to push him backwards. But I just kept on putting the pressure on. Every time he jabbed — moving forward, moving forward.”

Sean Strickland employs an unconventional style, adopting the defensive "Philly shell" stance, standing square to his opponent, and maintaining a stiff, upright posture. Despite this unusual look, Strickland has reached an unexpected peak in his career, and his success can be attributed to several key factors. His jab serves as a reliable weapon, forming the foundation for his strategic game plans. With Eric Nicksick as his coach, Strickland benefits from the guidance of one of the top coaches in the sport. Additionally, his exceptional gas tank provides him with a seemingly endless reservoir of energy, a factor that has yet to reach its limits in his performances. These X-factors collectively contribute to Strickland's unique approach and success in the MMA world.

In the early stages of the fight between Strickland and Du Plessis, Strickland effectively utilized his jab, consistently landing it straight down the middle. Despite Strickland's successful jabs, Du Plessis opted for a more conservative strategy, seemingly content to absorb the jabs while responding with low kicks. Towards the end of the first round, Du Plessis attempted a double-leg takedown, successfully completing it. However, he couldn't capitalize much on the ground, as Strickland swiftly returned to his feet, regaining control and establishing an early lead in the match.

“Listen, he is good. He’s definitely good,” Du Plessis said. “He caught me in the first round with the jab. And then I realized, I can’t let him get away with that.”

In the fourth round, Strickland attempted to regain control and initiate more aggressive movements, employing the jab as he did in the first round. However, Du Plessis consistently posed a threat to Strickland with his trademark counter blitzes, unleashing a barrage of attacks in response. While Du Plessis' approach may not have been aesthetically pleasing or highly efficient, the relentless nature of his haymakers demanded respect, even if they were somewhat telegraphed. Additionally, Du Plessis managed to secure a series of takedowns towards the end of the round, further solidifying his momentum and earning another round in his favor as they headed into the fifth round of the match.

Sean Strickland, facing a worsening cut around his left eye, recognized the need to make a decisive move. He intensified his efforts in flurries of attacks, seeking a breakthrough. Meanwhile, Dricus Du Plessis adopted a more defensive stance, absorbing Strickland's heightened offensive output while strategically adding occasional single shots of his own. As the round progressed, Du Plessis seemed to show signs of fatigue, and Strickland capitalized on this opportunity, aggressively pursuing the finish and relentlessly targeting his opponent. This championship fifth round encapsulated the essence of a high-stakes final round. Ultimately, all three judges awarded the round to Strickland.

The fight was closely contested, and a compelling argument could be made for either fighter. However, Dricus Du Plessis' impactful strikes proved more decisive than Sean Strickland's higher volume of strikes. Despite Strickland landing more shots in four out of five rounds and finishing with 36 additional significant strikes, two out of three judges scored the fight in favor of Du Plessis. It emphasizes that not only the quantity but also the effectiveness and power of the strikes influenced the judges' decision. Additionally, Strickland's inability to maintain forward pressure from the second round onward and occasional signs of fatigue, characteristics not commonly associated with him in previous fights, contributed to the judges' perception of the match.

“At the end of the day, I went toe-to-toe with the self-proclaimed — and some people think — best boxer in the UFC,” Du Plessis said. “Yeah, I took a couple of punches. More than I would’ve liked. But every time he hits, I move in, I move forward. Even him being the cardio machine that he is, by the third round you can’t keep on fighting with that kind of pressure. He got tired. And that’s where I really started landing more and more.”

Dricus Du Plessis' fighting style were evident in this match, resembling his typical approach. Du Plessis has a tendency to absorb some hits during a fight, showcasing his durability. One of his effective strategies is the swift and spirited counter-attack that follows his successful defense against opponents' strikes. After fending off an attack, Du Plessis responds with a rapid series of one, two, or three strikes of his own. The overwhelming nature of his counter-attacks has never been in doubt. However, a critical question has lingered: whether Du Plessis could maintain the necessary energy to sustain these offensive bursts, especially in the later rounds of championship fights. This highlights a potential concern about his endurance and energy management during extended bouts.

The outcome of the match provided clear answers to the questions surrounding Dricus Du Plessis. Exiting the octagon with a title around his waist, Du Plessis showcased a distinctive quality that sets him apart, even among elite professional fighters: an unwavering and indomitable will. Few fighters pursue their bouts with such relentless determination. Despite occasional awkwardness in his style, acknowledged by Strickland as "weird" and challenging to prepare for, Du Plessis leverages his athleticism to overcome any technical disadvantages he may face. This underscores Du Plessis' ability to rely on sheer determination and physical prowess to achieve success at the highest levels of professional fighting.

“Nothing’s changed. I’ve just gotten my octagon time. And settled, settled. Found a home in the UFC. That’s what I needed,” Du Plessis said. “We had some problems in terms of the conditioning that we’ve fixed. I feel incredible. I think it’s just about finding your feet in that octagon and accepting and believing that you’re one of the best in the world.”

Sean Strickland's unconventional behavior and actions following his victory at Apex. Despite the expectation that his residency at Apex (UFC's venue) would continue, Strickland, perhaps inadvertently, put it on hold. The subsequent four months saw Strickland engaging in activities and behaviors that seemed to test the limits of acceptability as a champion, potentially jeopardizing his position. The narrative suggests a period of uncertainty and unpredictability surrounding Strickland's actions and their impact on his standing as a UFC champion.

Characterized by a plain American image and constant boundary-pushing, may be intentionally exaggerated or a genuine reflection of who he is. The passage explores the conflict within Strickland, questioning whether he foresaw himself as a UFC champion and how he coped with the demands and responsibilities that came with the title. Strickland's brash, ungovernable, and self-sabotaging tendencies are noted, and the passage emphasizes the challenges he faced as a champion, particularly in contrast to his previous status as a headliner for Fight Nights.

The conclusion reflects on the end of Strickland's reign and speculates about his future in the UFC. It suggests that Strickland's unconventional approach might make it difficult for him to secure another title shot. The focus then shifts to Dricus Du Plessis, proposing a potential grudge match with Israel Adesanya and speculating on the feasibility of featuring the fight at UFC 300 on April 13. The passage encapsulates the complexities of fighters' personas, their promotion strategies, and the challenges associated with holding a UFC title.

“I’m pretty banged up right now,” Du Plessis said, his left eye nearly swollen shut. “But UFC 300 sounds amazing.”

“I think it’s time. I think we’ve worked our asses off to get this event to Africa and South Africa. And it’s time that happens,” Du Plessis said. “There’s one thing about South Africa that I think, if the UFC goes there, the whole world is going to see — you have never felt a vibe, when it comes to sport, like South Arica.”

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