Du Plessis’s Relentless Pressure Proved To Be Strickland’s Kryptonite
The buzz surrounding UFC 310 was palpable. Fans worldwide eagerly anticipated the main event, a clash between the reigning middleweight champion Sean Strickland and the challenger Dricus Du Plessis. The fight delivered, a grueling five-round war that saw Du Plessis emerge victorious via split decision. While the decision sparked debate, one thing is certain: this fight provided a wealth of talking points. Let’s dive into five crucial takeaways from Dricus Du Plessis’s hard-fought victory over Sean Strickland in UFC 310.
From the opening bell, Du Plessis implemented a game plan centered around constant forward pressure. He refused to allow Strickland the space to comfortably dictate the pace of the fight and unleash his signature jab. This relentless approach, while risky, ultimately proved to be the key to Du Plessis’s success.
Strickland thrives on controlling the distance and peppering his opponents with a high volume of strikes, particularly his jab. Du Plessis understood this and systematically took away Strickland’s comfort zone. He swarmed Strickland, forcing him to fight off his back foot and consistently engage in close-quarters combat. This prevented Strickland from establishing his rhythm and effectively utilizing his striking arsenal.
Throughout the fight, Du Plessis would close the gap, crowding Strickland and disrupting his flow. He mixed in takedown attempts, which, although not always successful, kept Strickland guessing and further disrupted his striking game. The consistent pressure drained Strickland’s energy and forced him to fight a less comfortable, more reactive fight. It prevented “Tarzan” from finding his usual groove.
This relentless pressure wasn’t just about aggression; it was a calculated strategy. Du Plessis understood that wearing down Strickland was crucial to his victory. By the later rounds, Strickland’s movement had noticeably slowed, and his strikes lacked the same snap and power they possessed earlier in the fight. This diminishing power made him more vulnerable to Du Plessis’s offense, allowing the challenger to capitalize. The constant need to defend against the pressure sapped the strength and will from the champion.
Strickland’s Striking Defense Revealed a Vulnerability
While Sean Strickland is known for his volume striking and defensive prowess, this fight exposed a vulnerability in his armor, specifically his susceptibility to damage and the occasional lapse in overall defensive awareness. While he usually effectively deflects and absorbs blows, Du Plessis managed to land significant strikes that visibly affected Strickland.
Early in the fight, Du Plessis landed a clean head kick that stunned Strickland, causing him to momentarily stumble. This highlighted a potential weakness in Strickland’s head movement and awareness. Du Plessis continued to target this area throughout the fight, landing several more significant head strikes that further compromised Strickland’s defense. He also had trouble with Du Plessis’s forward movement and power, allowing more to land than his average opponent.
Furthermore, Strickland’s reliance on his high guard and forward pressure sometimes left him vulnerable to uppercuts and hooks from close range. Du Plessis capitalized on this, landing several impactful shots in the clinch that caused visible damage to Strickland’s face. These strikes not only scored points but also further eroded Strickland’s confidence and defensive capabilities.
Strickland’s defense relies on controlling the range and dictating the pace. When forced to fight off his back foot and engage in close-quarters exchanges, his defensive vulnerabilities became more apparent. This fight serves as a blueprint for future opponents looking to exploit weaknesses in Strickland’s otherwise solid striking game.
Fight IQ and Adaptability Were Key for Du Plessis’s Championship Win
Dricus Du Plessis’s victory wasn’t just about brute strength and relentless pressure; it was also a testament to his fight IQ and adaptability. He demonstrated the ability to adjust his game plan mid-fight, showcasing a high level of strategic thinking.
Early in the fight, Du Plessis found success with his striking, landing significant blows and disrupting Strickland’s rhythm. However, as the fight progressed, Strickland began to find his range and counter Du Plessis’s attacks. Recognizing this shift, Du Plessis intelligently adjusted his strategy.
He incorporated more takedown attempts, mixing them in with his striking to keep Strickland guessing. This change of pace disrupted Strickland’s timing and prevented him from becoming too comfortable in the striking exchanges. While the takedowns weren’t always successful, they served a crucial purpose in keeping Strickland off balance and preventing him from establishing a dominant rhythm.
Furthermore, Du Plessis showed remarkable composure in the face of adversity. After being rocked by a head kick, he didn’t panic or abandon his game plan. Instead, he intelligently clinched with Strickland, recovered his composure, and continued to execute his strategy. This demonstrated his mental fortitude and his ability to remain focused under pressure. He did what it took to take over in moments where it seemed his opponent had the upper hand.
The Fight Changing Jab Proved Too Much for Strickland
While Strickland is the one known for his fight changing jab, Du Plessis utilized his jab more effectively in this matchup, becoming a primary weapon that consistently disrupted Strickland’s attacks and ultimately contributed to his victory.
Du Plessis’s jab wasn’t just a simple range-finder; it was a powerful and accurate weapon that he used to control the distance, disrupt Strickland’s rhythm, and set up his other strikes. He frequently doubled and tripled up on his jab, keeping Strickland constantly on the defensive. This continuous jabbing disrupted Strickland’s ability to set up his own attacks and prevented him from establishing his preferred striking range.
The constant pressure and well-timed jab forced Strickland to shell up, diminishing his offensive output and allowing Du Plessis to dictate the pace of the fight. It also opened up opportunities for Du Plessis to land more powerful strikes, like his right hand and head kicks, which further compromised Strickland’s defense.
Furthermore, Du Plessis’s jab was instrumental in preventing Strickland from getting inside and landing his own close-range combinations. He used it to maintain the distance and keep Strickland at bay, preventing him from effectively utilizing his inside fighting skills. The jab became the catalyst for every other attack and the reason he was able to find his mark so consistently.
Du Plessis’s Win Sets the Stage for a Potential Showdown with Israel Adesanya
Dricus Du Plessis’s victory over Sean Strickland not only earned him the UFC middleweight title but also positions him perfectly for a potential blockbuster showdown with former champion Israel Adesanya. This matchup has all the ingredients for a highly anticipated and potentially record-breaking event.
The history between Du Plessis and Adesanya is already filled with animosity and trash talk. A previous verbal altercation between the two fighters has fueled the flames of a potential rivalry, adding a personal element to the matchup. This pre-existing narrative will undoubtedly generate significant buzz and excitement, attracting a large audience.
Stylistically, the fight presents an intriguing clash. Du Plessis’s relentless pressure and willingness to engage in close-quarters combat would provide a stark contrast to Adesanya’s technical striking and counter-attacking style. This contrast in styles makes for a compelling and unpredictable matchup.
Beyond the personal rivalry and stylistic clash, the fight also makes business sense for the UFC. Adesanya is a proven draw and a major star in the sport. A fight against Du Plessis, the newly crowned champion, would be a massive event that could generate significant revenue and attract new fans to the sport. Even beyond Adesanya, his victory positions himself for many interesting matchups with high profile fighters.
Conclusion
UFC 310 was a night of high drama and intense action, capped off by a main event that delivered on its promise. Dricus Du Plessis’s victory over Sean Strickland was a hard-earned and well-deserved triumph. His relentless pressure, coupled with a strategic fight plan, outmaneuvered Strickland in a fight that proved both fighters’ mettle. The fight showcased Du Plessis’s ability to adapt and adjust, proving that he is more than just a brawler. It also exposed vulnerabilities in Strickland’s defense, highlighting the importance of a well-rounded skillset. Ultimately, Du Plessis’s win not only crowned him the new middleweight champion but also set the stage for a potential mega-fight with Israel Adesanya, promising a future of exciting possibilities for the UFC middleweight division. The debate surrounding the decision may linger, but the impact of Du Plessis’s victory is undeniable: the middleweight division has a new king, and his reign promises to be anything but dull.
