There's an old saying in the fight game that you're not truly a champion until you successfully defend your title. By that measure, Sean Strickland came up just short of establishing his championship bona fides after dropping a split decision to Dricus du Plessis in the main event of Saturday's UFC 297. Despite the loss, Strickland gave every bit as good as he got in front of a rowdy crowd in Toronto.
Strickland opened the fight working behind kicks and a solid jab, forcing du Plessis to try and navigate choppy waters to get into range for his own powerful punches and kicks. In the opening round, du Plessis was able to score a takedown but could do nothing with the position before the fight ended up right back on the feet where Strickland was the more effective -- and efficient -- striker.
Strickland continued to work mostly off his jab, sticking du Plessis and forcing him to wade through shots if the challenger wanted to get inside. du Plessis changed his approach by working shots to the body to open looping punches and the occasional takedown, with one of those overhand shots opening a cut over Strickland's right eye. At the same time, Strickland's constant jab caused some significant swelling over du Plessis' left eye.
The fight became a battle between Strickland's jab and occasional right hand against du Plessis' power shots and constant pressure. As the minutes ticked by, with du Plessis in his first fight that went beyond three rounds, Strickland suffered more significant cuts, with blood flowing into Strickland's left eye. With the blood pouring from Strickland's face, du Plessis saw his right hand connect more often and his takedowns more frequently succeed, even if Strickland was able to avoid much significant time on the ground.
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