Sean Strickland and Dricus du Plessis couldn't wait for their fight at UFC 297. The two middleweights got into a fight in the stands at UFC 296 and had to be separated.
Following the Paddy Pimblett and Tony Ferguson fight, the two were shown on camera with Strickland seated a few rounds in front of du Plessis. As the camera cut away, UFC commentator Joe Rogan let the audience know that Strickland and du Plessis had been involved in an altercation. They also teased that they would be showing the footage later in the PPV.
While the UFC cameras didn't show exactly what happened. Thankfully, there is the internet and fan videos that soon circulated on Twitter.
Sean Strickland told the mother and little kid to move and then rushed DDP LMFAOOO #UFC296 pic.twitter.com/UadCbmzkuW
— OOC MMA (@oocmma) December 17, 2023
HOLY CRAP SEAN STRICKLAND AND DRICUS DU PLESSIS GOT INTO IT!!! Had to be separated #UFC296 pic.twitter.com/igZclEMwp5
— Helen Yee (@HelenYeeSports) December 17, 2023
Sean Strickland is insane jumped over the seats right in front of us to assault Driscuss #UFC296
— Jared Gordon (@JFlashGordonMMA) December 17, 2023
Footage of DDP and Strickland getting pulled apart after coming to blows. pic.twitter.com/3YWAebvRKX
— Ariel Helwani (@arielhelwani) December 17, 2023
Better angle of Strickland and DDP brawling at #UFC296 pic.twitter.com/vxdJfHH02p
— OOC MMA (@oocmma) December 17, 2023
Strickland and Dricus Wildin 😂😂😂 #UFC296 pic.twitter.com/xNLydbw7gI
— Derek Brunson (@DerekBrunson) December 17, 2023
Brilliant move by the UFC to have Strickland and Dricus one row apart and having a group of kids inbetween them.
— AFeldmanMMA (@afeldMMA) December 17, 2023
Geniuses… pic.twitter.com/Un1cVp1Dy5
They definitely came to blows https://t.co/WrjEbr8DXq
— Alex Volkanovski (@alexvolkanovski) December 17, 2023
Broadcast says Strickland has been escorted out.
— Ariel Helwani (@arielhelwani) December 17, 2023
The incident at UFC 296 will certainly add heat to the fight at UFC 297. The UFC will likely use the footage of the fight in the crowd between the two in the promotional videos leading up to the event.
After the incident, du Plessis took to Twitter to react to the incident.
Now I understand why you have a 33% finish rate, you hit like a girl, also 20 Jan the security won’t be there to save your life when I’m on top. 🤣🤣🤣 #rentfree
— Dricus Du Plessis (@dricusduplessis) December 17, 2023
"Now I understand why you have a 33% finish rate, you hit like a girl, also 20 January the security won’t be there to save your life when I’m on top," he tweeted. He also used the hashtag "rent free".
Strickland also tweeted, though he didn't directly mention the altercation.
I go hard on everyone I know this, izzy mouth feeding his dog, Dricus kissing his coach and grabbing his cup. Omally talking about sharing his wife in a podcast.
— Sean Strickland (@SStricklandMMA) December 17, 2023
You're a man, on a world stage doing this in public
And what do you pick?
"You got abused as a kid ha"