UFC 297: Sean Strickland Addresses Potential Fight Against UFC Star Israel Adesanya

Simply put, Sean Strickland was unapologetically himself at Thursday's UFC 297 pre-fight press conference.

From hyping up the crowd, to making his opponent Dricus Du Plessis shake hands in an agreement to "fight to the death," it had everything and more.

UFC 297: Dricus Du Plessis Explains Why He Lost Interest In Fighting Israel Adesanya

But its completion came when a reporter asked "Tarzan" about his old rival Israel Adesanya, and his prediction for Du Plessis to capture the belt by submission.

Sean Strickland asked about Israel Adesanya's prediction that DDP will win by sub.#UFC297 pic.twitter.com/DFIy21XLgo
— Jed I. Goodman © (@jedigoodman) January 18, 2024

"Listen, listen," Strickland said. "Izzy, the f****** guy. The f***** cringe lord. The f***** punk plate himself. F*** Izzy. F*****, I could've took Izzy down and beat his ass on the ground, but I chose to stand with him like a man What did he do the whole fight? Run away like a b****. Izzy, shut your f****** mouth."

Strickland filled in for an injured Du Plessis at UFC 293 in 2023, thoroughly dismantling "The Last Stylebender" to steal the title. Adesanya's return is currently unknown, although it is likely that he will be watching the UFC 297 main event with a key interest in mind.

The bout between Strickland and Du Plessis is Strickland's first middleweight title defense. Before Adesanya lost to Strickland, the ex-middleweight king held the throne for the last four years, with his lone blemish coming against Alex Pereira in November 2022.

Octagon entrances should begin just before midnight ET Saturday, all contingent on time restraints with the women's bantamweight co-main event and three additional undercard fights across the pay-per-view.

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