Dricus du Plessis Unfazed by Sean Strickland’s Emotional Outburst: A Hypocritical Fighter

In the build-up to their much-anticipated clash for the UFC middleweight title at UFC 297, the verbal exchanges between Dricus du Plessis and Sean Strickland have escalated beyond mere fight promotion. Du Plessis, known for his straightforward approach, has remained unapologetic despite the emotional turmoil evident in Strickland’s recent interview.

Du Plessis’s Blunt Dismissal of Strickland’s Emotional Interview

“I didn’t watch [Strickland’s comments] and I don’t think I will,” du Plessis remarked. “Watching a grown man cry in an interview, it’s not really my watch material that I go and watch. But it is what it is. I’m glad he cried and he got it out. I hope that’s the end of that.”

He continued, “Do I think he’s a hypocrite? One-hundred percent. Obviously, childhood trauma is something you can’t help, but if you know what it feels like to be the one on the receiving end of such trauma, don’t inflict it on others.”

Strickland’s Candid Recount of Childhood Trauma

Strickland, the current UFC middleweight champion at 32, has openly discussed the alleged abuse he endured as a child, including fearing for his mother’s life and hiding under a bed during a violent incident involving his parents.

Du Plessis’s Perspective on Giving and Taking in Verbal Warfare

Du Plessis argued that Strickland, no stranger to attacking other fighters, should be prepared to receive the same treatment he dishes out. “If you want to dish it out, you better take it… You didn’t deserve that as a kid, but as a grown man, you dish it out, you’re going to get it.”

Preparing for the Championship Showdown

As the two prepare for their title fight at Scotiabank Arena in Toronto, du Plessis remains focused on his goal. “I care about me, what I do, what I go out there to do, and that is become the world champion.”

The Fine Line in Pre-Fight Banter

Reflecting on recent controversial comments by Colby Covington about Leon Edwards’s deceased father, du Plessis draws a distinction. “Talking about somebody’s dead family, that is 100 percent stepping over a line,” he states, emphasizing that his own comments about Strickland were not made in jest but were rather a reflection of the latter’s own openness about his past.

In this high-stakes world of MMA, where words can be as sharp as the strikes thrown in the octagon, both fighters seem to be navigating the delicate balance between psychological warfare and personal respect. As UFC 297 approaches, the MMA community eagerly anticipates not just a physical battle, but also a resolution to a war of words that has captivated fans worldwide.