Dricus du Plessis Makes History as South Africa’s First UFC Champion, Overcoming Sean Strickland in Epic Split Decision Victory
In a thrilling five-round main event in Toronto, Dricus du Plessis secured a historic win, becoming South Africa’s inaugural UFC champion by dethroning the controversial American, Sean Strickland. The judges scored the closely contested match 48-47, 47-48, 48-47 in favor of the new middleweight champion. In an emotional post-fight moment, Du Plessis exclaimed, ‘This is history!’ paying tribute to his homeland. Despite the tension leading up to the bout, both fighters showcased pure sportsmanship, settling their differences in a clean and competitive match. The culmination of their rivalry, which included a public altercation at UFC 296, added unexpected drama to this unlikely title showdown.