Sean
Strickland and Dricus Du
Plessis’ camps have the utmost respect for each other following
their UFC 297 clash.
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Strickland defended his middleweight strap agianst Du Plessis in
the main event at
UFC 297 last weekend in Toronto. Following a lot of drama,
ranging from trash talk to a brawl leading up to the fight, the two
delivered a competitive bout on fight night. “Stillknocks”
eventually secured a closely-contested split-decision win to be
crowned the new middleweight champ.
Strickland’s coach, Eric Nicksick believes his fighter did enough
to get his hand raised against Du Plessis. However, the renowned
trainer also thinks Strickland needed to win the “optics battle,”
as it was an extremely close contest.
“Congratulations to [Dricus Du
Plessis] and his team. I never met a more classy opposing
fighter during fight week, along with the skills to back it up. I’m
happy for you, your team, and your country, you made them proud,”
said Nicksick in a social media post.
“The fight was close. Close fights mean we needed to win the optics
battle. Live, I had us winning 1,2, & 5, but all that matters are
the [three] cage side. I’ll watch it again, to see where we/I can
be better. Much love to everyone who supported us. On to the
next!!”
Meanwhile, Du Plessis commented on Nicksick’s post in a show of
mutual class and respect.
“Thank you so much for the kind words coach, you and the team are
incredible, and it was an honor to battle the best in the
business,” he wrote. “Thank you for the war and the true warrior
like respect before and after the war.”