re: UFC 297: Strickland vs Du Plessis

Man, I'm just happy to have fights on tonight at all. Sometimes cards that are super hyped end up being lackluster, and sometimes cards that look underwhelming turn out to be the real bangers. Maybe we'll get lucky tonight. I enjoy them either way.

This will be an interesting litmus test for Strickland. Was he just a bad match-up for Izzy? Or is he more than that? I didn't know what to make of Strickland before he beat Adesanya. I thought maybe he was just a journeyman / also-ran type. Also felt like his strategy of constant pressure / going forward was too one-note. I remember him losing the decision to Cannonier at the last fight of the year in December 2022. Think maybe I remember him getting KO'd by Pereira. Then I was surprised when he beat Magomedov. Thrilled when he rocked Izzy and went on to win.

Dricus seems stronger and more dynamic as a fighter than Strickland. What Dricus did to Whittaker was impressive. I'm rooting for Strickland, but he's going to have his hands full with Dricus, and I'm not sure he can beat him. I'm sure Dricus is aware of what a great opportunity this is for him, and he seems like he has that laser focus and drive to become the champion, so. I think he might pull it off tonight.

I would almost be surprised if Strickland wins, especially handily. There's also something with Strickland where you know he doesn't really care about being champion / if he's champion or not. So does Dricus want it more in that sense? That said, Strickland was legitimately mad with Dricus's trash talk about his childhood, so maybe that anger will give Strickland the edge. Should be interesting to see.