I don’t know that anybody within the fight sports activities world was actually shocked that Sean Strickland and Dricus Du Plessis got here to blows whereas in attendance at UFC 296.
Simply previous to the occasion, Du Plessis and Strickland traded pretty vicious phrases on the presser. Du Plessis referred again to Strickland’s abusive father and violent childhood, whereas Strickland busted out the slurs and assault the South African’s relationship along with his coach. It was an unpleasant scene, and Strickland particularly seemed fairly perturbed after the trash speak trade.
The following day, the 2 have been buying and selling punches within the stands. UFC CEO Dana White took the blame, explaining that it was his (dangerous) choice to permit Strickland and Du Plessis to be seated shut collectively. Seeing as UFC rapidly put collectively and shared video of the brawl — and there have been no penalties for both man — the promotion doesn’t appear too upset that it occurred both.
This has raised the query: was it staged? UFC Welterweight contender Gilbert Burns and his household have been entrance row to the mini scrap, and in line with “Durinho,” it was a real brawl … that Strickland defined forward of time would in all probability occur.
“That was my spouse and child,” Burns defined, referring to the folks Strickland waved apart earlier than lunging at Du Plessis. “After which when Sean got here, he got here after which he form of seemed on the man. I feel he’s already like ‘Man s—t.’ You introduced your spouse and your children, and I say sure. And he stated, ‘yeah this fricking man is true there. I would do stuff with this man.’
“That was earlier than the battle! When he walked in, he already had the factor in his head. [Strickland said] If I do one thing, I’ll provide the heads up. Each time the issues begin happening, this man [Strickland] form of take a look at me and stated, ‘Now!’”
Strickland and Du Plessis are scheduled to formally battle at UFC 297 on January 20, so any damage within the melee may’ve derailed their precise contest! Fortuitously, Burns revealed that even from his shut angle, no severe pictures related.
“They hit one another just a little bit. Individuals didn’t see that aspect of the digicam. We noticed as a result of it was proper there. There was form of just a little bit back-and-forth, nevertheless it was nothing clear. After which Dana got here after the battle, like what occurred, did anybody get damage, anybody want something? No, nothing occurred to anybody. Even these guys, they fought one another.”
They’ll have a second probability to settle the dangerous blood in just some extra weeks.
For full UFC 296 outcomes, protection and highlights, click on HERE.
