Watch the shocking moment Sean Strickland and Dricus Du Plessis come to blows at UFC 296 as the middleweight champion ATTACKS his upcoming opponent in the crowd
- Strickland and Du Plessis will fight for the UFC middleweight title at UFC 297
- The bitter rivals traded insults during the UFC's 2024 season press conference
- DailyMail.com provides all the latest international sports news
UFC middleweight champion Sean Strickland landed multiple punches on challenger Dricus Du Plessis during a cageside brawl at UFC 296 in Las Vegas.
A video on social media shows Strickland initially exchanging words with Du Plessis, who was sitting two rows back during Saturday's pay-per-view show at T-Mobile Arena.
Strickland then gives the person Du Plessis' right to move out of the way before jumping over chairs to attack his rival. The American stood on a chair and delivered multiple hammer fists to Du Plessis' head. Meanwhile, the would-be middleweight title challenger tried to break free before appearing to grab Strickland's lower legs.
The two fell to the ground and out of view as bystanders and security rushed to separate them.
Du Plessis was seen trying to break free as both men were held back from each other before the clip ended.
UFC middleweight champion Sean Strickland attacked rival Dricus Du Plessis at UFC 296
Strickland won the title in dominant fashion from Israel Adesanya at UFC 293 in September
Strickland and Du Plessis will battle for the undisputed UFC middleweight title at UFC 297
During the broadcast, Du Plessis was recognized for being present before the camera panned to Strickland. The middleweight king then proceeded to aim a pistol gesture at his challenger.
Du Plessis and Strickland both spoke at the UFC's 2024 season press conference on Friday to promote their title fight at UFC 297 in January.
Strickland will make his first title defense against Du Plessis after winning the title in dominant fashion against Israel Adesanya in September.
On the other hand, Du Plessis scored a TKO victory over another former champion, Robert Whittaker, in July. The South African was meant to challenge Adesanya, but the turnover came too early and Strickland was more than happy to step in.
Du Plessis has an MMA record of 20-2 and has won his last eight fights.
On the other hand, Strickland won his last three and improved to a 28-5 record.