In a dramatic turn of events, Dricus Du Plessis and Sean Strickland engaged in a brief brawl at UFC 296 in Las Vegas, just a month before their highly anticipated clash for the UFC middleweight championship. The incident, which occurred on Saturday, has caught the attention of fans and media alike, intensifying the already heated rivalry between the two fighters.

Video footage captured the moment when Du Plessis successfully defended himself against Strickland's attack before security intervened to restore order. When asked about the incident, Du Plessis appeared amused by the situation, stating in a post-event interview with the UFC's Megan Olivi, "I'm 5-0 in the T-Mobile Arena, and tonight I officially became 6-0, so I'm happy with that. Things happen, and nobody got hurt, all is good."

Despite the scuffle, Du Plessis remains focused on his upcoming fight against Strickland scheduled for UFC 297 on January 20 in Toronto. However, fans are hoping that the altercation didn't result in any injuries for the contender.

In a pre-fight press conference held on Friday, both fighters exchanged sharp insults, setting the stage for a high-stakes battle in the first quarter of 2024. Strickland, unimpressed with Du Plessis' choice of words, took to social media to call him out, expressing his dissatisfaction with the situation.

Du Plessis, unfazed by Strickland's reaction, responded assertively, stating, "I don't really care how he feels... If you want to dish it out, you have to be able to take it. The fact that he's triggered, I don't give a damn about that."

Despite the escalating tension between the fighters, Du Plessis remains composed and sees no added motivation in their growing grudge. With an eight-fight winning streak, including six victories in his initial UFC appearances, he has his sights set on becoming the UFC middleweight champion. Du Plessis's most recent accomplishment was a dominant second-round knockout of former champion Robert Whittaker at UFC 290, solidifying his position as a top contender in the division.

In an interview, Du Plessis offered advice to his adversary, suggesting that Strickland needs to regain his composure, stating, "Gather your composure, be calm. You make mistakes when you're not calm... The fact that he's triggered only plays to my advantage."

The intense feud between Dricus Du Plessis and Sean Strickland has undoubtedly intensified the anticipation for their upcoming championship bout. As the fighters prepare for what promises to be a fierce showdown, fans eagerly await UFC 297, eager to see who will emerge victorious in this bitter rivalry that has captured the attention of the MMA world.