Former UFC middleweight champion Sean Strickland has made it clear in no uncertain terms that he’s not happy about the fact that he may not be getting an immediate rematch against the man who dethroned him Dricus du Plessis next.
“You know I don’t care about fight politics or a belt but it makes me laugh they give izzy [Adesanya] a rematch to alex [Pereira] after getting slept..,” Strickland wrote on X. “I lost a close decision that dana himself thought I won. Everyone did.. The stats did. That needs to be run back.”
A showdown between du Plessis and Adesanya hasn’t been made official by the UFC yet, but both parties appear to be on-board with the idea, and the sense of frustration from Strickland suggests he believes that’s the fight that’s likely to happen.
“The UFC fans want me and Dricus to settle it. Dricus wants to settle it. We all know I fought in a dirty liberal country who f**** me. Dana knows it. The UFC knows it. IF IT WAS ANYONE ELSE ON THE ROSTER THE REMATCH WOULD HAPPEN! Do the right thing UFC.”
It’s debatable whether that’s really the case. Truth be told the first fight between the two wasn’t exactly a thriller. And meanwhile, given that there’s been an ongoing rivalry between Adesanya and du Plessis for some time, and that they were previously supposed to fight for the title after squaring off in the cage after UFC 290, it does feel like this is a fight that makes a lot of sense to put on next.
Nevertheless, Strickland is adamant that he should be given the chance to win back the belt, and he’s threatening to quit if he doesn’t get his way.
“You know man I’m not climbing that f**** ladder again….. If that isn’t it for me idk boxing…”
“Yeah go make millions beating up Jake Paul lmao,” he added later.
