Former undisputed middleweight champion, Sean Strickland has already been pegged for a title rematch with Dricus du Plessis ahead of UFC 305 overnight, however, now that the South African has prevailed, the ex-champion has made his feelings on an immediate rematch clear.
Strickland, the current number one ranked contender, most recently returned to winning ways in the co-main event of UFC 302 back in May in New Jersey, landing a decision win over former title challenger, Paulo Costa.
The win returned the former gold holder to winning-ways following a prior January loss to the above-mentioned, du Plessis at UFC 297 in January – in hugely controversial circumstances.
As for du Plessis, the Pretoria native continued his stunning, roughshod run through middleweight elites overnight in the main event of UFC 305 in Perth, settling his longstanding grudge with common-foe, Israel Adesanya.
Battling the City Kickboxing striker over the course of four rounds, du Plessis would land the first defense of the middleweight title – courtesy of a stunning rear-naked choke win, marking an end to their bitter feud in the wake of their matchup.
Dricus du Plessis called out by Sean Strickland at UFC 305
And while he has suggested a pairing with former champion and prior opponent, Robert Whittaker should come first, du Plessis has already been welcomed as a foe by a host of suitors – most notably, Sean Strickland.
“Time for war Dutchman,” Sean Strickland posted on his official X account in reaction to Dricus du Plessis’ win over Israel Adesanya at UFC 305.
Time for war Dutch man……
— Sean Strickland (@SStricklandMMA) August 18, 2024
And while Strickland has welcomed a rematch with du Plessis, the undisputed middleweight kingpin has already been sought out by incumbent light heavyweight champion, Alex Pereira – who has vowed to return to his old stomping ground of 185lbs to make good on a title fight with the South African.
As he often does, Sean Strickland is relishing the thought of going to war inside the octagon, this time against UFC middleweight champion Dricus Du Plessis.
‘Stillknocks’ put on a gritty show when he headlined UFC 305 on Saturday. In a closely contested affair, it was the South African who came out on top, retaining his title and subsequently becoming the first man to earn a submission victory over Israel Adesanya.
While there are a number of options for him in and around his division, Dricus Du Plessis will likely be facing Sean Strickland next, and Strickland is riled up at the thought of the fight.
The pair met earlier this year, where the current champion managed to earn a split decision win. Strickland will be hoping to avenge a loss that he believes was undeserved.
As the curtain came down on an electric UFC 305 main event, the former titleholder jumped on social media and subtly called for a rematch against Du Plessis.
“Time for war, Dutch man.” Strickland said on X after Du Plessis continued his title reign at UFC 305.
Time for war Dutch man……
— Sean Strickland (@SStricklandMMA) August 18, 2024
Sean Strickland last made the walk to the octagon two months ago, in his decision victory over Paulo Costa. Shortly after his win, the controversial middleweight made a bold statement.
Strickland insisted that he believes he has done enough to earn a shot at gold next, and claimed that he is prepared to wait for his chance.
Related: Alex Pereira calls for Dricus Du Plessis matchup after UFC 305
“I keep getting asked to fight Whittaker,” Strickland said two months ago. “I beat Izzy, the world knows I beat Dricus. Whittaker lost to both.”
“I am the number 1 contender, I defended that spot easily against Costa. I will wait.”
I keep getting asked to fight whittaker. I beat Izzy, the world knows I beat dricus.
Whittaker lost to both.
I am the number 1 contender, I defended that spot easily against Costa.
I will wait…..
— Sean Strickland (@SStricklandMMA) June 25, 2024
Despite Alex Pereira inserting his name into the hat, Strickland isn’t the only one who believes he deserves a title shot next.
UFC CEO Dana White confirmed that, no matter what happened between Israel Adesanya and Dricus Du Plessis this past weekend, Sean Strickland would get the winner.
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Mike Tyson remains committed to his Nov. 15 dance date against Jake Paul.
The boxing Hall of Famer and former heavyweight champion appeared alongside Paul on Sunday in New York City for the first press conference ahead of their rescheduled bout. The duo were originally scheduled to compete on July 20, however Tyson withdrew from the big-money match in May after suffering health complications related to an ulcer flare-up.
That withdrawal only inflamed critics who argue that Tyson’s health and age make the fight is an irresponsible and dangerous booking, but Tyson remains steadfast in his pledge.
“[I’m doing this] because I can. Who else can do it but me?” Tyson said at Sunday’s press conference “Let’s look at it, who else is he going to fight to make this happen? You just have to listen to the facts. We got a YouTuber fighting the greatest fighter that ever lived.”
“Every time,” Paul shot back. “Every time, these fighters sit across from me and it’s YouTubers, Disney Channel, all that shit, and then you end up on the f*cking canvas. And you’ll see, it’s going to be no different here. I promise you that.
“I brought this deal to this old ass motherf*cker. We signed the contract with Netflix and I brought him the deal. So you’re welcome, my son. I’m going to discipline you like a son. So shut the f*ck up with all that ‘need this, need that.’ We brought you the deal. And remember that too.”
Tyson, 58, and Paul, 27, are scheduled to meet in a professional heavyweight bout contested across eight two-minute rounds at AT&T Stadium in Arlington, Tex., which airs live on Netflix.
Tyson has not competed professionally since losing a 2005 match against Kevin McBride. His most recent appearance in the ring came in an eight-round exhibition against fellow Hall of Famer Roy Jones Jr. in late 2020, which ended in a split draw.
Paul is 10-1 as a professional boxer since debuting in 2020 and has defeated a host of MMA veterans, counting wins over Ben Askren, Tyron Woodley (x2), Anderson Silva, and Nate Diaz. He knocked out BKFC star Mike Perry in his most recent bout this past July.
As he has done most of the boxing career, Paul continues to shrug off critics of his matchmaking preferences, this time regarding his booking against Tyson.
“People are always going to have something to say,” Paul said. “It’s because of who I am, it’s because I proved everyone wrong. Reminder, the most hated and most criticized boxer in the sport of boxing, before they loved him, was Muhammad Ali. So I’m the antihero and people will love me soon enough, once they realize what I’ve done for this sport and who I truly am. But that doesn’t bother me at the end of the day, because when you’re at the top, people are clawing to rip you down, and that’s just the way the game goes.
“You’ve got to risk it for the biscuit. That’s the name of the game. I’m here to make history. I’m here for a challenge. I’m here to fight one of the most dangerous men in all of boxing. No one that ever did anything great got there with ease or by an easy, non-bumpy road. I’m here to challenge myself. He’s vicious, he’s a killer. I know all of these things. He has one-punch knockout power. He’s the greatest heavyweight of all-time. But I will prove on November 15 all the haters wrong, all of these ‘YouTuber, YouTuber,’ f*cking hillbillies wrong. And that’s what I’ve always done.”
While Paul dipped into full promotional mode often during Sunday’s press conference, Tyson kept the majority of his responses short and sweet. Nonetheless, the boxing legend made sure to repeatedly remind his young foe that his intentions are serious.
“Very painfully,” Tyson promised when asked how the bout will go.
“Be in shape. Be in good shape because your health depends on it.”
“I think he’s a mitt warrior,” Paul said. “The Instagram videos are cute but we’ll see what happens in the ring on November 15. At the end of the day, we’ll see if he’s still got it.”
“Listen, as soon as I catch this guy, he’s going to be running around. As soon as I catch this guy, it’s going to be totally over,” Tyson later said. “… He’s going to run like a thief.”
Paradigm Sports will walk away from it’s failed deal with Manny Pacquiao $ 3 million poorer after head Audie Attar failed to keep his California manager’s license current.
Make sure your manager’s license is filed, paid for, and up to date, kids. Otherwise you too could find yourself out several million dollars in a failed deal with a boxing legend.
That’s what’s happened in the case of Conor McGregor’s Paradigm Sports Management company and Manny Pacquiao, who have been embroiled in a bitter lawsuit since 2020. Paradigm paid Pacquiao a $ 3.3 million dollar advance when they signed the aging boxer to a deal, only for “Pac-Man” to keep the money, walk away from the deal, and continue organizing his own fights.
An initial court decision went Paradigm’s way to the tune of $ 5 million, but a more recent filing on August 12th from State of California Superior Court judge Walter Schwarm reversed that, dubbing the deal ‘illegal.’
Manny Pacquiao has signed with Paradigm Sports Management, the same group that represents Conor McGregor.
During UFC 246 fight week, @TheNotoriousMMA answered questions about a potential boxing match with Pacquiao. pic.twitter.com/LdcgAnYU7X
— ESPN MMA (@espnmma) February 11, 2020
The ruling hinged on Paradigm manager Audie Attar not having a manager’s license in the state of California during a key period between 2019 and 2021. Whoops.
“The court finds for Mr. Pacquiao on the declaratory relief cause of action and declares the contract void due to illegality,” the court decision read.
“This decision negates the jury’s findings back in May of 2023,” Pacquiao’s lawyer Jason Aniel wrote in a statement (via the Philadelphia Star). “We thank the court’s time and effort in this matter. Mr. Pacquiao thanks his fans for their patience while the court fully resolved all the legal issues.”
Manny Pacquiao has fought three times since the lawsuit was brought against him: he suffered a decision loss boxing Yordenis Ugas in November 2021, and fought two exhibition bouts in South Korea and Japan respectively. His most recent bout, a custom rules affair against kickboxer Rukiya Anpo, saw Manny get picked apart by his much larger opponent at Super Rizin 3. Due to the specific ruleset, the bout was declared a draw.
What the future holds for Pacquiao is uncertain, but Paradigm part-owner Conor McGregor has expressed interest in fighting the Filipino boxer in Saudi Arabia, and so has Manny’s (legal) management team. So perhaps we could get one more round of Pacquiao vs. Paradigm, sorted out in the ring instead of a courtroom.
But first McGregor needs to get two more fights out of the UFC, fights the promotion is in no rush to deliver.
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