Dricus Du Plessis becomes first South African UFC champion

Mixed martial artist Dricus Du Plessis became the first South African champion in the Ultimate Fighting Championship's (UFC) history after he spent most of the UFC 297 main event with a left eye almost swollen shut, at a deficit on the cards.

South African challenger Du Plessis defeated UFC middleweight Sean Strickland Saturday in a split decision (48-47 x 2, 47-48) in Toronto, completing a rapid ascent up the division since October 2020.

Strickland initially dominated, but Du Plessis broke through his defence several times, including a failed takedown, ultimately winning the fight, Yahoo Sports reported.

"He has a super, super-strong jab. It's almost like he doesn't open his hand, he's just got a fist," Du Plessis said to the ESPN PPV broadcast. "Every time he hits you with that jab, it feels like someone hit you with a rock."

That would be the last round in which Du Plessis didn't at least argue to take the round.

In the second round, both fighters showed signs of damage, with Du Plessis showing a swollen eye and Strickland displaying blood near his right eye. The South African boxer increased his urgency in the third round, taking the fight.

However, in the fourth round, Du Plessis' elbow opened a large gash on Strickland's face, and he ended the round with three more takedowns.

Du Plessis appeared tied in the fifth round, but Strickland responded with a decisive fight. Strickland's combinational skills could potentially win the fight if multiple judges tied the bout after the fourth round.

Despite the fight's outcome, both fighters embraced as the final bell sounded, and Du Plessis took pride in his strong performance in the championship rounds.

"I honestly thought — with the takedowns I wasn't sure — I could feel it was a close one. I definitely gave him the first round," Du Plessis said. "I felt the first three round was give and take, but those last two rounds ... who says this guy isn't a five-round fighter? What did I tell you?"