In a fiercely contested middleweight championship bout, Dricus Du Plessis showcased his formidable striking prowess, landing a brutal right hook that left Sean Strickland reeling. The defining moment of the match occurred in the fourth round, where Du Plessis’s powerful blow struck Strickland squarely on the nose, causing a dramatic scene as blood streamed down the American’s face.
As clear footage revealed, the impact of Du Plessis’s punch left Strickland’s nose crooked, prompting a member of the commentary team to exclaim, “Uh oh, it’s broken!” Recognising the severity of the strike, Strickland instinctively reached for his nose, appearing to grab it multiple times as he staggered back, visibly shaken by the onslaught.
Despite the injury, Strickland, 33, demonstrated remarkable resilience. Walking back to his corner between the fourth and fifth rounds, he revealed to his team, “It’s broke but I reset it,” confidently affirming his ability to continue fighting. Addressing the crowd after the match, he stated, “I f***ing love you guys man. When that f***er broke my nose I was like: ‘Oh that doesn’t f***ing feel right’. Popped it back in place and I kept on fighting.”
Ultimately, the fight culminated in a unanimous decision victory for Du Plessis, who retained his middleweight title in what could only be described as a dominant performance. Reflecting on the battle, Du Plessis admitted it was challenging to maintain his composure once he noticed the damage inflicted upon his opponent. He shared, “It was really hard, once I saw him grabbing at his nose, to stay calm. I got a bit over excited and said: ‘Yo, the man is running and he’s running hard. Don’t out-punch yourself.’ It took me about 30 seconds to a minute to get everything back to composure.”
In the aftermath of this significant victory, Du Plessis expressed gratitude for the unwavering support he received from fans both in South Africa and Australia. “I don’t want to make a habit of these decisions, but against a competitor like that, it means the absolute world. South Africa back home, Australia thank you so much for all the support. I am a top three pound for pound fighter as of tonight and I’m coming for that No 1 spot,” he declared, reinforcing his ambitions within the UFC hierarchy.