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UFC 297 Post Fight Thoughts

 

The UFC 297 card on January 20th was okay, mostly up and down until the fight we all tuned into watch, including some really boring fights (looking at you co-main event). However, the main event absolutely delivered. With Sean Strickland vs Dricus Du Plessis now in the books, most fans are feeling like there’s quite a bit of unfinished business between the two.  

  

First off - did Sean Strickland win or lose? Everyone can agree that the split decision loss wasn’t really a “robbery”, but many people were not convinced that Dricus did enough to take the strap. I for one am also in this group - to me it’s like the replay challenges in football.. in order to change the call on the field we need indisputable evidence to overturn. Similar in fighting, if it goes to decision, and it’s this close, the champ should retain the belt. All of the judges had the fight even, Rounds 1 and 5 going to Strickland, and Rounds 2 and 4 going to Dricus. The turd in the punch bowl came from a judges split on who won the 3rd round. 

 

 

Case for Dricus Winning: 

 

Dricus fought at great fight. At the very least for the contested round 3, it looked like Dricus got the better of Sean Strickland. The significant strikes were pretty even, but Dricus looked like the one pushing the action on Strickland. He also opened him up in this round, which may have won him the fight in the eyes of the judges. Also, he was able to secure the level change here and there throughout the night which also may have given him an edge on the scorecard. 

  

 

Case for Strickland Winning: 

  

To put it plainly, he precisely punched Dricus in the face more, round after round. It was plain to see in the octogon and at the post fight press conference how much damage Dricus took. Yes, he was able to take Strickland down, but did not do anything with it (about 2 minutes of total ground control). Also Strickland has blamed the cut he received on his eye in the third round to an illegal headbut - calling into question the legitimacy of the damage Dricus got in on Sean. 

  

 

Did an illegal headbutt impact the fight? 

  

I don’t think so. When I watched it live I thought it was an elbow up against the cage that opened up Strickland. Watching back in  slow motion it didn’t look like any head movement you wouldn’t see in normal grappling, but I couldn’t tell for sure. Either way it seemed very incidental and there’s a good chance Strickland was leaking before the “headbutt”. 

  

 

Overall takeaway: 

 

I have multiple. Firstly, this leaves the division pretty murky as Strickland and many fans are calling for a rematch. Meanwhile, it seems the UFC is trying to make Du Plessis vs Adesanya happen with all the heat they already have built up. Lurking (and making his case) is undefeated challenger Khamzat Chimaev, who thinks he’s entitled to a title fight after beating Kamaru Usman on short notice. I think what ends up happening is the Stylebender fight, either at UFC 300 or shortly after. Strickland will have to eat this and maybe take on Khamzat or even Jared Cannonier, the latter of which who holds a decision victory over him at the end of 2022. 

 

Secondly, Dricus Du Plessis is much better than we thought. All of the questions about his cardio, ability to be technical for 5 rounds, etc. were all put to rest. I don’t know if his cardio is improved due to him fixing his nose via surgery or what - but if this is what we can expect going forward, I have no reason to believe he can’t compete with anyone in the division.  

 

Lastly, scoring in the UFC (as well as judging), continue to leave fans without a full understanding of how it works. I do not think the judging was bad in this fight, but I wish takedowns where not given as much weight in the scoring if nothing was done with it. If that situations is awarded points, so should a defended takedown or even getting up without taking damage after being taken to the ground. This is a conversation for a different blog, but I understand why the community (and judges) are split on who won. 

  

If you haven’t seen it yet, check out the video of Dricus bringing the belt home to South Africa. Another prediction? Next fight for this belt, if not at 300, will finally be in Africa. What a better place for a “who’s more African” themed championship bout?