“I’m here to prove to the world that I’m a legit fighter, and I’m a fighter to be reckoned with.” That’s the claim being thrown around. But if there’s one thing this latest stunt has proven, it’s that he’s capable of doing the impossible, getting two UFC rivals to agree on something. Sean Strickland and Dricus du Plessis don’t see eye to eye on much, but when it comes to an upcoming fight involving a certain YouTuber and a boxing legend, they’re on the same page: this fight is a joke.
In a resurfaced tweet shared on Reddit by r/ufc, Jake Paul was out here hyping up his bout with 57-year-old Mike Tyson as “the biggest event in boxing history.” But Sean Strickland wasn’t buying the pitch. In fact, he’s downright disgusted. “You’re fighting a 60-year-old… are you a f—— idiot?? This should be illegal,” Strickland posted. “The man had a medical emergency a month before this because he’s too f—— old… f—— clown.”
Surprisingly, Dricus du Plessis, the man Strickland has been trading barbs with for months, actually agreed. “Don’t always agree with you, but I second that! Still believe Iron Mike KOs him,” the South African chimed in. And when ‘Tarzan’ and ‘Stillknocks’, who are literally at each other (almost always), take a break from their own war to roast you, it might be time to reconsider your choices.
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Paul vs. Tyson has been met with near-universal backlash, and it’s not hard to see why. A 31-year age gap, Tyson’s recent health scare, and the general optics of a YouTuber boxing a senior citizen? Yeah, it’s not a great look. And to top it off, Tyson ended up losing to Paul in a unanimous decision, further fueling the debate over whether this fight should have even happened in the first place. The only truly fruitful thing to come out of what fight fans thought was a joke of a bout? Tyson’s massive paycheck.
Strickland’s outrage isn’t just for show. Iron Mike’s last real fight was nearly two decades ago, and while “all it takes is one punch” might work as a promotional tagline, critics argue that no punches should have been thrown in the first place. Even fighters from outside boxing circles were raising eyebrows. And when two guys who usually can’t stand each other suddenly unite in shared disapproval, it says a lot. Doesn’t it?
Will this mutual disdain translate into mutual respect in the Octagon?
Don’t get too comfortable, this temporary truce between Sean Strickland and Dricus du Plessis didn’t last long. In just a few hours, we will witness them going back to what they do best, trying to take each other’s heads off. They’re set to headline UFC 312 in Sydney in a couple of hours, and after their razor-close split decision at UFC 297, there’s unfinished business. The reigning champ took the middleweight belt from Strickland that night, and the former champion – never one to take a loss quietly – has been vocal about it, crying robbery at every turn.
The tension between these two has been boiling over all week. From fiery press conferences to intense face-offs, it’s clear there’s no love lost. And if Strickland’s latest words are anything to go by, he’s coming in with violent intentions. “I can’t wait to get out there and try to shorten this man’s life for you f—— guys,” Strickland declared at the ceremonial weigh-ins. “As always, I appreciate you f—–s, to the f—–g death, Dutchman!”
The South African, never one to back down, played the villain role to perfection. He reminded the Australian crowd how he silenced a hostile Perth audience when he beat Israel Adesanya. “Tomorrow night, just like in Perth, I’m gonna take your boy out,” the reigning champion promised. “Enjoy the cheers while you still can, boys.”
While the internet had fun watching Strickland and du Plessis gang up on Paul, the real fight is yet to come. Their first clash went the distance, but this time, the stakes feel even higher. So, what do you think? Will du Plessis prove his first win wasn’t a fluke, or will Strickland reclaim his throne? Let us know your thoughts in the comments below!
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