Dricus Du
Plessis‚ contested victory over Sean
Strickland in the UFC 297
headliner left the immediate future of the middleweight division
uncertain.
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According to UFC Fight Pass Brazil commentator Carlos
Barreto, Dana White should make an immediate rematch between Du
Plessis and Strickland.
“You can’t say it was a robbery, the fight was really very
competitive, but in my [view], and Demian Maia
agreed with me, Strickland won four rounds — clearly 3 rounds — so
the fairest thing would be an immediate rematch,” Barreto said on
his weekly YouTube program Papo de Luta.
While offering live commentary of the fight with Maia, Barreto gave
Rounds 1,2,3 and 5 to Strickland.
“When I came home I saw the fight again,” he said. “I could accept
Dricus winning the third round. But Rounds 1, 2 and 5 were clear
for Strickland. Anyway, it was a very tough match and an immediate
rematch would be really fair in my personal view.”
Shortly after the event, White stated that an immediate rematch is
unlikely. If that is the case, Barreto sees Israel
Adesanya as the next logical choice to challenge for the
middleweight belt.
“I would say the middleweight division is in Adesanya’s hands. He
is the conductor of that orchestra,” Barreto said. “If he decides
to return now, I have no doubt that he will have total priority,
not only because he is a former champion with legendary status in
the division, but also because he already has a rivalry with
Dricus.
“Actually, Sean got the title when agreed to step in for Dricus on
short notice and beat Israel [at UFC 293]. [Robert] Whittaker was
just knocked out by Dricus, so it wouldn’t make sense to have a
rematch now [if he beat Paulo Costa
at UFC 298]. But if [Costa] wins, it could be a good second option.
But it all depends on Adesanya’s decision. If he wants to come
back, he will certainly have priority. That’s the fight the fans
want to see.”