Sean Strickland rematch or Israel Adesanya next? UFC champ Dricus Du Plessis opens vote to fans

UFC champ Dricus Du Plessis is willing to consider fighting Sean Strickland again.

UFC middleweight champion Dricus Du Plessis is willing to consider fighting Sean Strickland again.

Du Plessis (21-2 MMA, 7-0 UFC) defeated Strickland by split decision to claim the 185-pound title at UFC 297 in January. He is projected to make his first title defense against Israel Adesanya – a fight the promotion tried to make for UFC 300 on April 13. Du Plessis turned it down due to not being recovered from injuries yet.

Strickland (28-6 MMA, 15-6 UFC) argued that he was robbed and called for a rematch. Du Plessis didn’t shut him down and instead pivoted to the fans to get their input.

“Since this is a spectator sport What do you guys think @SStricklandMMA or @stylebender Just for the record it makes absolutely no difference to me the result will be the same.”

Since this is a spectator sport
What do you guys think? @SStricklandMMA or @stylebender
Just for the record it makes absolutely no difference to me the result will be the same.

— Dricus Du Plessis (@dricusduplessis) March 15, 2024

During the UFC 297 post-fight news conference, UFC CEO Dana White said he scored the fight for Strickland, after having it tied 2-2 going into Round 5. Du Plessis saw it completely differently.

“I agree I won 4 in a row.”

I agree I won 4 in a row

— Dricus Du Plessis (@dricusduplessis) March 15, 2024

Adesanya (24-3 MMA, 13-3 UFC) hasn’t competed since losing his middleweight title to Strickland this past September at UFC 293. He announced that he’d be taking some time off, but is already ready to compete again.