The two fighters will clash in the octagon at UFC 312 in Sydney, Australia, on Saturday night.
Strickland, known for his provocative remarks, has targeted Du Plessis on social media, making disparaging comments about South Africa, including its crime rates and economic disparities. In response, Du Plessis, 31, stated to BBC Sport Africa, “Strickland talks a lot but lacks understanding.”
“It doesn’t affect me,” he added. Du Plessis made history as South Africa’s first UFC champion when he defeated Strickland by split decision at UFC 297 in January of the previous year. He successfully defended his title against Nigeria-born Israel Adesanya in a match referred to as the ‘Battle for Africa’ in August.
Ahead of their upcoming bout at Qudos Bank Arena, Du Plessis acknowledged that the animosity between him and Strickland is authentic. “I’m not one to fabricate conflict for promotional purposes,” he remarked. “Respect is reciprocal. Sean Strickland generates interest through his words. But if he attempts to intimidate me verbally, I will ensure he experiences the consequences of that behavior.”
Strickland has stirred controversy among Australian media with his provocative statements leading up to the fight. Nevertheless, Du Plessis, hailing from Welkom in Free State, maintains a level of respect for his opponent. “I don’t harbor any hatred towards him. Emotions are running high, and this isn’t a time for friendliness,” he explained. “We are rivals. We can choose to be respectful, but if he opts for disrespect, I can match that. I respect Strickland, but he is not my ally.”
Du Plessis must perform flawlessly on fight night.
In their initial encounter at UFC 297 in Toronto, Strickland effectively utilized his jab during the early rounds, outstriking Du Plessis. However, in the fourth round, Du Plessis managed to inflict a cut on Strickland’s eye. Strickland rallied in the later stages, leading to a decision that favored Du Plessis with scores of 48-47, 48-47, and 47-48.
Having analyzed footage from their previous bout, the South African fighter has adjusted his approach as he aims for his ninth consecutive victory in the UFC. “There are many familiar aspects, but we recognized our errors and made the necessary adjustments,” he stated. “We identified areas where we excel and where we can improve further, and he has done the same regarding us.
“We needed to rectify every mistake because they are now aware of those errors and will likely try to capitalize on them. In this training camp, we focused on enhancing everything I did, making it better, faster, and more precise. I cannot afford to make minor mistakes; the margin for error is even narrower, so I must be flawless on fight night.”
Greater commitment is needed to sustain a leadership role.
By achieving the distinction of being his nation’s inaugural UFC champion, Du Plessis has emerged as one of South Africa’s most recognizable and influential sports personalities.
He is regarded as a beacon of national pride, having chosen to remain in his home country, which continues to develop its presence in the MMA landscape.
However, Du Plessis has also become a contentious figure due to some of his opinions, including his public endorsement of former United States President Donald Trump prior to his bout with Strickland.
Despite this, Du Plessis is driven by a desire to maintain his position at the pinnacle of his sport and understands the importance of setting a benchmark for others.
“Since becoming world champion, I’ve had to demonstrate my status to everyone around me and work harder than anyone else because I need to exemplify what it takes to be the best in the world,” he stated.
“The sacrifices required to reach the top have been significant, and that commitment remains unchanged. Achieving the top position is one challenge, but sustaining it demands the same level of effort. You must invest all that work. I have been relishing every moment of this journey.”
