Sean Strickland slams idea of UFC Africa as he insists his title rematch against Dricus Du Plessis will take place in America
19/08/2024 13:49
With Dricus Du Plessis retaining his middleweight title at UFC 305 this past Saturday, the potential of an event in Africa once again heightened, but the potential next title challenger has slammed the idea.
This past Saturday at UFC 305, Dricus Du Plessis successfully retained his title against former champion, Israel Adesanya, submitting ‘The Last Stylebender’ in the fourth round after a closely contested four rounds.
Ahead of the event, UFC CEO Dana White hinted that if ‘Stillknocks’ retained his title, then he would let him fight in his home country of South Africa next, having already revealed that Sean Strickland is next in line for a title shot.
Sean Strickland slams the idea of a title fight in Africa
Although former champion, Robert Whittaker is set to take on the undefeated Khamzat Chimaev at UFC 308 in October, White has already stated that Strickland will be awarded the next title shot, despite having only picked up a win over Paulo Costa since his title loss in February.
With that, ‘Tarzan’ was keeping a close eye on the UFC 305 main event this past Saturday, having already shared the cage with both Du Plessis and Adesanya.
“Time for war Dutch man…” Strickland posted on X following Du Plessis’ win.
The former champion was then asked where and when he expects the rematch will take place, to which he slammed the idea of the UFC hosting their inaugural event in Africa.
“Vegas man… I always travel. Let me fight in my country… Unless you want me to go fix South Africa. We can go to Africa and fight in front of a bunch of white people lmao,” Strickland began.
“You don’t want me there, I don’t either. Highest unemployment rate in the world. The 3rd worst crime rate in the world. It has been ranked as the most unequal place on earth. It’s racist, unequal, you have small white wealthy minority and a poor black minority. Las Vegas,” Strickland claimed.
Despite Strickland clearly not wanting to fight in Africa, after the event, UFC Executive Dave Shaw revealed that an event in Africa will ‘definitely’ happen in 2025, likely headlined by the South African champion.
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Dricus Du Plessis believes Sean Strickland doesn’t deserve a title rematch
Although Dana White has claimed that Strickland will likely be next, the champion may have something to say about that, as he has admitted that he doesn’t think Strickland deserves the next title shot.
“Does (Strickland) want to cry again?” Du Plessis asked at the UFC 305 post-fight press conference, referencing the fact he made Strickland cry in the lead-up to their first fight.
“South Africa, it’s different. We saw that tonight, as I said, it’s a jungle out there. Sean Strickland the way he does things, yeah, I hope he makes it to the fight.
“Robert Whittaker (would be more deserving of a title shot next). Robert Whittaker deserves the shot, I think he’s been done over. Whittaker beat Costa. Sean Strickland’s only saving grace here is the fact that he went to a decision with me, that’s it,” Du Plessis admitted.
Reacting to Du Plessis’ comments, Strickland replied: “We will be fighting in the land of the free… You’re not ducking me Dutch man… I know you’re going to try… It’s not happening. Dana White, ‘You’re next in line’. We’re bringing it back to America and the belt is staying back in America!”
