The Sean Strickland - Dricus Du Plessis fight will headline UFC 297, the first major event for the organization in 2024.
Strickland will try to defend his UFC Middleweight Championship against the South African, who has been on a roll this year.
It will take place on January 20, 2024, at the Scotiabank Arena in Toronto.
The bout is previewed as a clash of styles - Strickland's methodical and striking style against Du Plessis' MMA that relies heavily on jiu-jitsu, judo, and grappling.
The South African comes out of the gate, trying to end a match quickly through his heavy hands, which is why he is called Stillknocks.
Betting favorite
The odds are still undecided, with the match less than two months away.
Odds Shark put Strickland's chances of winning at -150 or 60 percent while Du Plessis is at +125.
Recent outings
Preparations are still ongoing, but going back to the tapes of the two fighters' previous fights can help.
Strickland beat a formidable foe in Israel Adesanya in his last octagon appearance. He was the underdog in the match, but he and his coaches did their assignment. He used his stamina to outlast the Stylebender by sending a continuous flurry in the first round.
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Adesanya himself acknowledged that his opponent had a better game plan.
"I just wasn't able to get my rhythm because of his pressure," Adesanya said.
"He was right there constantly. Whenever I was setting him up, because he was right there, his coach would help him out, and I would be like, 'Fuck.' Good game plan from them, but also for me, I wasn't able to adjust on the fly. ... It was his night."
Du Plessis was an underdog, too, against Robert Whitaker in their UFC 290 match last July. That did not distract Stillknocks as he quickly worked on his champion opponent to get the victory in just two rounds.
Dricus pounded his opponents with heavy body kicks until their defense sagged, and then he took his chance to finish them. That is what he intends to do to his first 2024 rival.
"I've had great performances, and I've had not so good performances in my career, in the UFC and out of the UFC... But not one of those performances, good or bad, was not entertaining." He further added, "He (Strickland) doesn't like to fight backwards, and I promise you I'm not fighting backwards."
What do UFC fighters think?
Another way to gauge the bout is to consider the words of professional fighters.
UFC Light Heavyweight Champion Alex Pereira, who fought Strickland last year, is gracious enough to provide his insight, although this one came long before the Sean Strickland - Dricus Du Plessis Fight was confirmed.
He thought Strickland had a higher chance of beating Adesanya than Du Plessis. The former proved him right.
Whitaker, who felt the fiery blasts from Du Plessis last July, has the same sentiment - Strickland is the better fighter.
"Top of my head, I would have to say, Sean pieces him up five rounds, wins by decision," said Whittaker in his MMArcade podcast.
"Dricus is awkward and he's unorthodox...He's gonna come into this fight ready for the dog fight."
Related article: Dricus Du Plessis vs Israel Adesanya Beef: History, Chances of Fight Happening, and More
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