Dricus Du Plessis beats Sean Strickland
Dricus Du Plessis defeats American Sean Strickland to win the middleweight title during UFC 297 in Toronto on Saturday.
The two clashed through five rounds, taking the bout to the distance, but in the end, it was Du Plessis taking Strickland’s middleweight belt after bloodying the former champ over his left eye and winning a split decision.
Judges Derek Cleary and Eric Colon scored the bout 48-47 in favour of Du Plessis, while Sal D’Amato had it 48-47 for Strickland.
“This is history!” Du Plessis screamed in honour of his homeland. “South Africa … we can probably hear them from outside.”
“Every time he hits you with that jab it feels like someone hit you with a rock. You are one heck of a man, thank you for bringing out the best of me tonight,” Du Plessis said.
“The first three rounds were give and take, but the last two, I was desperate rounds four and five.”
Dricus trends on social media as people celebrate the history maker.
South Africa’s Bafana Bafana beat Namibia 4-0 at AFCON.
Dricus Du Plessis becomes the UFC Middleweight Champion.
South Africa Women’s Hockey Team beat France 2-1 in a friendly.
Proteas U-19 Men’s Team beat West Indies by 31 runs at the 2024 U-19 Cricket World Cup.
South… pic.twitter.com/74phhoBzGl
— Africa Facts Zone (@AfricaFactsZone) January 22, 2024
“Nou weet hulle wat ons weet!”. Congratulations @dricusduplessis 🔥👏🏾 pic.twitter.com/OexAE3TpVh
— Motshidisi E. Mohono (@MotshidisiM) January 21, 2024
Thank you #dricusduplessis for planting the 🇿🇦 flag on new fertile ground. Salute!!! pic.twitter.com/5zDkOjzW8c
— Udo Carelse (@udocarelsesa) January 21, 2024
