Dricus Du Plessis slams Sean Strickland’s ‘ridiculous’ UFC 312 pact

Dricus Du Plessis won’t oblige to Sean Strickland’s demand for UFC 312.

Du Plessis (22-2 MMA, 8-0 UFC) defends his middleweight title in opposition to Strickland (29-6 MMA, 16-6 UFC) in a rematch, which headlines the Feb. 8 occasion at Qudos Financial institution Enviornment in Sydney. The principle card streams on ESPN+ pay-per-view following prelims on ESPN2 and ESPN+.

Strickland, who was taken down six instances in his break up choice loss to Du Plessis at UFC 297, challenged the champion to solely stand and commerce with him after they run issues again.

“Look, it’s a ridiculous factor to ask,” Du Plessis advised FOX Sports activities Australia. “If you wish to make pacts about us simply standing up, go do boxing. I don’t go into fights considering I’ve to face up or take the man down. I do what the state of affairs tells me to do. That’s what MMA fighters do. I’m comfy all over the place.”

That being mentioned, Du Plessis does envision their battle primarily taking part in out on the ft.

“100%, I believe we’re most certainly going to maintain it standing,” Du Plessis mentioned. “I do know I’ve the cardio, I do know I can push him again and I do know I’ve the ability to knock him out. So for me, that’s nice. Then, if the chance involves get a takedown, it’s a call you need to make instantly. For those who see the second, you are taking it.”

Du Plessis remembers Strickland’s vow for his or her first battle, and doesn’t assume he lived as much as it.

“He mentioned ‘To the demise,’ and I used to be prepared for that,” Du Plessis mentioned. “You noticed it, too. I went ahead for 23 minutes of a 25-minute battle. However from him? It was jabs and teeps. Towards Paulo Costa subsequent battle, similar factor. So, ‘to the demise’?

“Sean Strickland is aware of a variety of one-liners to sound powerful, however I expose faux powerful guys. And as for him now once more saying let’s make this pact? What’s the aim of a pact after we noticed what occurred the final time? Plus, I’m not right here to make pacts – I’m right here to win.”