Combat Sports Stars Predict Strickland vs. du Plessis: ”A Nightmare!”

The highly interesting UFC middleweight title bout rematch between reigning champion Sean Strickland and challenger Dricus du Plessis is headlining Saturday’s UFC 297 in Toronto.

There have been loads of tension, heated words and even fists thrown between the two 185ers leading up to the fight.

Click “Next” to check out how UFC fighters predict the exciting title bout!

Israel Adesanya

Pick: Dricus du Plessis

Former two-time middleweight champion Israel Adesanya, who lost to Strickland in his last fight, believes du Plessis will get it done on Saturday.

“I’m going to go with Dricus. Does it go the distance? I’m going to say no. Not that I don’t respect Sean or his skills. The guy beat me, so of course I respect his skills,” Adesanya says. ”I say sub. He’ll submit him.”

Alexander Volkanovski

Pick: Dricus du Plessis

Featherweight champion Alexander Volkanovski believes it will be a matter of who’s got the best cardio.

”If I can guarantee du Plessis’ gas tank is going to hold up, I’m leaning more on Dricus,” Volkanovski says.

Sean O’Malley

Pick: Sean Strickland

Reigning bantamweight champion Sean O’ Malley, who will defends his strap for the first time in March, thinks Strickland will be to much for his opponent.

”If Sean Strickland shows up like he did against Izzy, I think he beats DDP,” O’Malley predicts. ”I mean, he seemed very calm against Izzy. Five fives against Strickland is a nightmare. I just have a feeling that Strickland gets the job done.”

Anthony Pettis

Pick: Sean Strickland

Former UFC lightweight champion Anthony ”Showtime” Pettis has big respect for Strickland’s training routine.

”His work ethic is why he’s where he’s at,” Pettis says.

Cory Sandhagen

Pick: Sean Strickland

Top ranked bantamweight Cory Sandhagen thinks Sean Strickland will successfully defend his strap on Saturday.

”I think Strickland will probably win that one. He’s been too unorthodox for people to prepare for so I’m going with Strickland,” Sandhagen says.

Jan Blachowicz

Pick: Dricus du Plessis

Former lightweight champion Jan Blachowicz leans towards Du Plessis in an even fight.

”Fifty-fifty but I think Dricus will be a little bit better and win by decision,” Blachowicz says.

Raquel Pennington

Pick: Dricus du Plessis

Bantamweight title contender Raquel Pennington is not impressed with the champion.

”Not Sean Strickland,” Pennington says when asked if she has any ick for the UFC 297 main event.

Curtis Blaydes

Pick: Sean Strickland

Top ranked heavyweight Curtis Blaydes favors the reigning champion.

”I will go with Strickland. I’m a believer,” Blaydes says. ”The style is weird but it works.”

Arnold Allen

Pick: Sean Strickland

Top ranked featherweight Arnold Allen, who also fights on the UFC 297 main card, claims that even though both fighters have awkwards fighting styles, the champion will be able to successfully defend his strap.

”I’m going to go with Strickland. I think Strickland will get the win there. He’s going to be able to put the pressure on him,” Allen says.

Song Yadong

Pick: Sean Strickland

Song Yadong doesn’t hesitate on who’s getting his hand raised come Saturday.

”Sean,” Yadong says.

Ben Askren

Pick: Sean Strickland

Former ONE Championship welterweight title holder and UFC fighter Ben Askren has a hard time picking the winner of the UFC 297 main event.

”I’ve been wrong about du Plessis a whole bunch of times so I feel like Sean Strickland is going to win but I’ve been absolutely wrong a handful of times,” Askren says.

Dan Ige

Pick: Sean Strickland

Featherweight powerpuncher Dan Ige believes in the champion.

”I see Strickland 2-0,” Ige says.

Charles Jourdain

Pick: Sean Strickland

Charles Jourdain, who fights in the prelims, doesn’t think the champ feels any pressure going into the fight.

”When you find that flowstate you perform to the best of your abilities, so I’m going with Strickland 2024,” Jourdain says.

Gillian Robertson

Pick: Dricus du Plessis

Strawweight submission specialst Gillian Robertson, who also fights on the card, thinks it will be a even fight but got the challenger as a slight favorite.

”I’m going to get Dricus a little bit of an edge,”Robertson said.

Paul Craig

Pick: Dricus du Plessis

Scottish light heavyweight and middleweight fighter Paul ”Bearjew” Craig thinks it will be an even fight in Toronto.

”It’s a difficult one but I think it’s DBP,” Craig says.

Grant Dawson

Pick: 50/50

Dangerous lightweight Grant Dawson would not dare to bet against du Plessis or Strickland.

”I told anybody that would listen that Robert Whittaker was going to walk through du Plessis, and then he just made it look like easy work. So I have no clue, I have no idea,” Dawson says.

Mario Bautista

Pick: Sean Strickland

No. 14 ranked bantamweight Mario Bautista claims it will be a battle of ”who’s being most awkward” in the main event of UFC 297.

”I will have to go with Strickland, I think he’s going to ride that confidence being a champion,” Bautista reasons.

Alex Perez

Pick: Sean Strickland

No. 7 ranked flyweight Alex Perez got the champ as his favorite.

”I think Sean Strickland. His style is so hard to deal with. He walks him down.” Perez reasons. ”Du Plessis is more of a power striker but obviously his cardio is a question.

Chase Hooper

Pick: Sean Strickland

Lightweight Chase Hooper is mighty impressed by the way Strickland defeated Israel Adesanya.

”His style is so weirdly specific and it’s really hard to mimic,” Hooper says. ”Until Khamzat or somebody comes up there I think he’s holding on to that belt.”

Dustin Jacoby

Pick: Dricus du Plessis

UFC lightweight Dustin Jacoby thinks we will have a new champion come Saturday.

”Every time I went against that guy he won, and there is something about him on the inside that makes me think he gets it done,” Jacoby says.

Marc-André Barriault

Pick: Dricus du Plessis

Fellow middleweight Marc-André Barriault picks du Plessis to win the fight in Toronto if he’s smart enough.

”We all know Strickland has a tricky style with the defense, but I think Dricus has the tools to become the new champion,” Barriault says.

Brian Kelleher

Pick: Sean Strickland

Bantamweight Brian Kelleher thinks the champion got what it takes to defend his strap against the thought South African challenger. He thinks Strickland will get it done by TKO.

”I’ve got to go with Sean Strickland after that performance against Izzy,” Kelleher says. ”Strickland has that Philly Shell, that forward pressure and that belief too.”

This is Sean Strickland

• Age: 32
• Record: 28-5
• UFC record: 15-5
• Weight: 185 lb (84 kg)
• Height: 6 ft 1 in (1.85 m)
• Reach: 76 in (193 cm)
• Post-fight bonuses: 3

This is Dricus du Plessis

• Age: 30
• Record: 20-2
• UFC record: 6-0
• Weight: 185 lb (84 kg)
• Height: 6 ft 0 in (1.83 m)
• Reach: 76 in (190 cm)
• Post-fight bonuses: 3

Read more: UFC 297: Strickland vs. du Plessis – Fight Card, Start Time & How to Watch!

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