UFC fighter Sean Strickland has sparked controversy by refusing to fight Dricus du Plessis in South Africa, describing the country in derogatory terms.
Story Summary:
- Sean Strickland refuses to fight in South Africa, calling it a “shithole” country.
- Dricus du Plessis has not yet responded to Strickland’s comments.
- Strickland insists the fight should take place in the US, stating the belt will “stay in America.”
Sean Strickland describes South Africa as ‘shithole’ country
In a string of tweets, Strickland sparked outrage by describing South Africa as a “shithole,” citing issues like crime, corruption, and inequality as reasons he would refuse to fight there.
Strickland argued:
“You don’t want me there [in South Africa], I don’t either. Highest unemployment rate in the world. The 3rd worst crime rate in the world. It’s racist, unequal…”
The comments came as a surprise to many, especially given the UFC’s growing interest in hosting an event in Africa, a sentiment that UFC President Dana White has hinted at, especially after Du Plessis’ recent title win.
Strickland’s refusal to travel to South Africa casts doubt on this possibility, but it has also fuelled his ongoing feud with Du Plessis.
Strickland’s remarks come eight months after his loss to Dricus du Plessis at UFC 297.
The two fighters squared off in a brutal bout, where Du Plessis made history by becoming the first South African to win a UFC title.
Despite being the underdog, Du Plessis delivered a stunning performance, dominating Strickland in four of the five rounds.
The judges awarded the victory to Du Plessis, solidifying his place as the new UFC Middleweight champion.
Dricus du Plessis earns right to defend title on home turf
Du Plessis, fresh off his victory against Israel Adesanya, has now cemented his status as a dominant force in the UFC’s middleweight division.
His recent success has reignited discussions about the UFC hosting its first event in Africa.
Dana White expressed a strong interest in making this happen, stating:
“If [Du Plessis] can beat Izzy [Adesanya] and bring that belt back to South Africa, obviously we’ll do an event there.”
Du Plessis’ triumph over Strickland in their previous encounter, which saw the South African fighter overcome early adversity to claim the title, has only fuelled the anticipation for a rematch.
However, with Strickland’s refusal to fight in South Africa, the UFC may have to reconsider its plans.