Ad Code

Responsive Advertisement

Morning Report: Robert Whittaker thought ‘weird little scuffle’ between Sean Strickland and Dricus Du Plessis was ‘staged’

LaPhezz December 19, 2023
Drake Riggs https://ift.tt/zqPu0Lh
UFC 2024 Seasonal Press Conference
Photo by Cooper Neill/Zuffa LLC via Getty Images

Sean Strickland and Dricus Du Plessis gave fans a sneak peek of their upcoming UFC middleweight title fight this past Saturday.

Last Friday, the UFC held a seasonal press conference to close out 2023 and build hype for the first three pay-per-view event title fight headliner bouts of 2024. UFC 297 on January 20 in Toronto, Ontario, Canada kicks off the upcoming year and concludes with the 185-pound crown on the line between reigning champion Strickland and top contender Du Plessis.

The pair traded some heated verbal exchanges at the press conference, which snowballed to a somewhat surprising extent before boiling over at UFC 296. Bafflingly — and foolishly — Strickland and Du Plessis were seated next to each other in the Las Vegas crowd and ultimately broke out into a brawl right after they were shown on the broadcast. At the press conference the day before, the former champion and last opponent of Du Plessis’ Robert Whittaker caught some strays from the current champion and when seeing the altercation couldn’t feel a little suspicious of its legitimacy.

“I thought it was staged, mate, honestly,” Whittaker said on his MMArcade Podcast. “Because it was weird. It was weird the way it happened. You saw the way Strickland was like, ‘Move aside, please.’ Makes sense, but then he jumps in like WWE style. The way he was punching, the way he was kind of like, I don’t know, fake punching to the back of Dricus.

“Maybe it was just for entertainment, and which case, you can’t really give him anything for it. I don’t know. It’s a bit silly. He’s the champ.”

Unfortunately for Whittaker, Du Plessis used him as the catalyst for his impending title shot by extending his current winning streak to eight (six in UFC, 20-2 overall) with a second-round TKO at UFC 290 in July. “The Reaper” hasn’t fought since but is targeting a comeback in early 2024 that can get him back in the mix with the division freshened up atop the title scene.

At middleweight, Whittaker has largely been flawless against most, as his only losses are to his fellow former champion Israel Adesanya and now Du Plessis. Known for his great striking game, the Australian has shown a versatile game to put him amongst the 185-pound elite, which is why Strickland’s comments on Friday caught him off guard.

“It was a weird little scuffle, I am gonna say,” Whittaker said. “I also heard him talking smack about me in the press conference. I don’t think it was smack talk, to be honest. He just off-commented how — downplayed my abilities. I don’t expect him to pump tires, to be honest, and yeah, I don’t think I’m as one-dimensional as he says. I think my blitz is a strong part of my game, but I got other tricks.

“It was nothing really. I’m not gonna say I like him but I don’t hate him because he’s kind of wholistically against everybody, you know what I mean? He’s wholistically rude. He’s not singling out certain people or genres or races or colors, he’s just kinda tellin’ off everyone (laughs). Being rude to everyone. I don’t hate that. But I don’t know, I think that fight looked a little staged. Staged on Strickland’s behalf, I don’t think Dricus got the memo (laughs).”

TOP STORIES

Games. Geoff Neal reacts to Ian Machado Garry making t-shirt with his mugshot: ‘It was some low-class s***’

Response. Tony Ferguson releases statement after Paddy Pimblett loss at UFC 296

Mailbag. Who will end the reign of King Leon Edwards?

Assessment. Dana White criticizes Colby Covington after UFC 296 loss: ‘Just looked slow and old tonight’

Shakeup. MMA Pound-for-Pound Rankings: Leon Edwards boots Jon Jones out of top 3

Banter. Michael ‘Venom’ Page ‘hates’ trash talk, suggests UFC fines for Colby Covington-like offenders

VIDEO STEW

The MMA Hour.

2023 PFL Championship Epilogue.

MORNING MUSIC

SOCIAL MEDIA BOUILLABAISSE

Saved.

Why?

Respect.

Happy holidays.

The return.

Champ.

Interested?

Only one Longo.

FIGHT ANNOUNCEMENTS

Itsuki Hirata (6-2) vs. Ayaka Miura (12-5); ONE 165, Jan. 28

Danny Kingad (15-3) vs. Yuya Wakamatsu (16-6); ONE 165, Jan. 28

Rinya Nakamura (8-0) vs. Brady Hiestand (7-2); UFC 298, Feb. 17

Val Woodburn (7-1) vs. Oban Elliott (9-2); UFC 298, Feb. 17

Jarred Brooks (20-2) vs. Joshua Pacio (21-4); ONE 166, March 1

Arjan Bhullar (11-2) vs. Amir Aliakbari (13-3); ONE 166, March 1

FINAL THOUGHTS

Thanks for reading!

EXIT POLL

If you find something you’d like to see in the Morning Report, hit up @DrakeRiggs_ on Twitter and let him know about it. Also, follow MMAFighting on Instagram and like us on Facebook.



from MMA Fighting - All Posts https://ift.tt/IVYewQM
LaPhezz

Posted by LaPhezz

LaPhezz is an enigmatic writer who never reveals his true identity, preferring to keep his personal life completely private. He uses a pen name to create a persona that reflects his secretive nature, and his writing speaks for itself, captivating readers with his unique voice and storytelling style. Despite his mysterious nature, LaPhezz has gained a loyal following of readers who are entranced by his talent for crafting complex characters and intricate plots that keep them on the edge of their seats. He often shares insights into his creative process and the inspiration behind his writing, driven by a love of storytelling and a desire to explore the complexities of the human experience. LaPhezz's stories cover a wide range of topics, from love and loss to the mysteries of the universe. He brings a fresh perspective to every story he tells, transporting readers to new worlds and keeping them guessing until the very end. If you're searching for a writer who can captivate you with their storytelling and take you on a journey through the unknown, look no further than LaPhezz - the master of mystery behind some of the most enthralling stories on the internet.

Post a Comment

0 Comments

Dear valued readers,

I am writing to you today as LaPhezz, an international man of mystery with a passion for technology and a fascination for analytics. I have traveled the world and lived in many different places, and I have experienced a wide range of cultures and perspectives.

Despite my travels and encounters with countless people from all walks of life, I remain something of an enigma. My true identity is known to only a select few, and even those who know me well are often left guessing at my motivations and intentions.

As a tech enthusiast, I am always looking for new ways to leverage data and analytics to solve complex problems and make the world a better place. I believe that technology can be a powerful tool for positive change, and I am constantly exploring the latest trends and innovations in the field.

I am grateful to have such a diverse and engaged readership, and I am always eager to hear your feedback and insights. Whether you have questions about my work, suggestions for new topics to explore, or simply want to connect with a fellow tech enthusiast, I am always here to listen and engage.

Thank you for your continued support and interest in my work. Together, we can use technology and analytics to create a brighter, more connected world.

Best regards,
LaPhezz

Ad Code

Responsive Advertisement