Mick Maynard’s Shoes: What’s next for new champ Dricus Du Plessis after UFC 297 title win?
(ALSO SEE: Mick Maynard’s Shoes: What’s next for Sean Strickland after UFC 297 title loss?)
The UFC middleweight title once again changed hands Saturday when Dricus Du Plessis dethroned Sean Strickland in the UFC 297 main event.
It was the fourth time in the past four 185-pound title bouts that a new champion has been crowned. Du Plessis (21-2 MMA, 7-0 UFC) narrowly edged Strickland (28-6 MMA, 15-6 UFC) by split decision at Scotiabank Arena in Toronto to become the first South African titleholder in company history.
As big as the moment was for Du Plessis to put that belt around his waist for the first time, what’s to come next might be bigger. Du Plessis has several marquee opponent options to kick off his reign, including a Strickland rematch, a long-awaited bout with Israel Adesanya or undefeated contender Khamzat Chimaev.
Which direction should the promotion go? Watch the video above for thoughts and analysis on Du Plessis’ future after UFC 297.
For more on the card, visit MMA Junkie’s event hub for UFC 297.
dricus-du-plessis-ufc-297-media-day
Share this
image
gallery
ufc-297-media-day-sean-strickland
Sean Strickland at UFC 297 media day.
Share this
image
gallery
ufc-297-media-day-sean-strickland-1
Share this
image
gallery
ufc-297-press-conference-screenshot-sean-strickland
Share this
image
gallery
sean strickland dricus du plessis ufc 297 press conference handshake
Share this
image
gallery
sean strickland dricus du plessis ufc 297 press conference faceoff2
Share this
image
gallery
dricus-du-plessis-ufc-297-official-weigh-ins-1
Share this
image
gallery
dricus-du-plessis-ufc-297-official-weigh-ins-2
Share this
image
gallery
dricus-du-plessis-ufc-297-official-weigh-ins-3
Share this
image
gallery
dricus-du-plessis-ufc-297-official-weigh-ins-4
Share this
image
gallery
dricus-du-plessis-ufc-297-official-weigh-ins
Share this
image
gallery
sean-strickland-ufc-297-official-weigh-ins-1
Share this
image
gallery
sean-strickland-ufc-297-official-weigh-ins-2
Share this
image
gallery
sean-strickland-ufc-297-official-weigh-ins
Share this
image
gallery
Dricus Du Plessis UFC 297 ceremonial weigh-in faceoff
Dricus Du Plessis UFC 297 ceremonial weigh-in
Share this
image
gallery
Dricus Du Plessis UFC 297 ceremonial weigh-in faceoff
Dricus Du Plessis UFC 297 ceremonial weigh-in
Share this
image
gallery
Dricus Du Plessis UFC 297 ceremonial weigh-in faceoff
Dricus Du Plessis UFC 297 ceremonial weigh-in
Share this
image
gallery
Sean Strickland UFC 297 ceremonial weigh-ins
Sean Strickland UFC 297 ceremonial weigh-ins
Share this
image
gallery
Sean Strickland UFC 297 ceremonial weigh-ins
Sean Strickland UFC 297 ceremonial weigh-ins
Share this
image
gallery
sean-strickland-dricus-du-plessis-ufc-297-ceremonial-weigh-ins-faceoff-
Share this
image
gallery
Sean Strickland vs Dricus Du Plessis UFC 297 ceremonial weigh-ins faceoff
Sean Strickland vs Dricus Du Plessis UFC 297 ceremonial weigh-ins faceoff
Share this
image
gallery
Sean Strickland vs Dricus Du Plessis UFC 297 ceremonial weigh-ins faceoff
Sean Strickland vs Dricus Du Plessis UFC 297 ceremonial weigh-ins faceoff
Share this
image
gallery
Sean Strickland vs Dricus Du Plessis UFC 297 ceremonial weigh-ins faceoff
Sean Strickland vs Dricus Du Plessis UFC 297 ceremonial weigh-ins faceoff
Share this
image
gallery
Sean Strickland vs Dricus Du Plessis UFC 297 ceremonial weigh-ins faceoff
Sean Strickland vs Dricus Du Plessis UFC 297 ceremonial weigh-ins faceoff
Share this
image
gallery
Sean Strickland vs Dricus Du Plessis UFC 297 ceremonial weigh-ins faceoff
Sean Strickland vs Dricus Du Plessis UFC 297 ceremonial weigh-ins faceoff
Share this
image
gallery
Sean Strickland vs Dricus Du Plessis UFC 297 ceremonial weigh-ins faceoff
Sean Strickland vs Dricus Du Plessis UFC 297 ceremonial weigh-ins faceoff
Share this
image
gallery
Sean Strickland vs Dricus Du Plessis UFC 297 ceremonial weigh-ins faceoff
Sean Strickland vs Dricus Du Plessis UFC 297 ceremonial weigh-ins faceoff
Share this
image
gallery
Sean Strickland vs Dricus Du Plessis UFC 297 ceremonial weigh-ins faceoff
Sean Strickland vs Dricus Du Plessis UFC 297 ceremonial weigh-ins faceoff
Share this
image
gallery
Dricus Du Plessis UFC 297 ceremonial weigh-in faceoff
Dricus Du Plessis UFC 297 ceremonial weigh-in
Share this
image
gallery
Dricus Du Plessis UFC 297 ceremonial weigh-in faceoff
Dricus Du Plessis UFC 297 ceremonial weigh-in
Share this
image
gallery
Sean Strickland UFC 297 ceremonial weigh-ins
Sean Strickland UFC 297 ceremonial weigh-ins
Share this
image
gallery
Sean Strickland UFC 297 ceremonial weigh-ins
Sean Strickland UFC 297 ceremonial weigh-ins
Share this
image
gallery
MMA: UFC 297 - Strickland vs Du Plessis
Jan 20, 2024; Toronto, Canada, USA; Sean Strickland (red glove) fights Dricus Du Plessis (blue gloves)…
Jan 20, 2024; Toronto, Canada, USA; Sean Strickland (red glove) fights Dricus Du Plessis (blue gloves) during UFC 297 at ScotiaBank Arena. Mandatory Credit: Dan Hamilton-USA TODAY Sports
Share this
image
gallery
MMA: UFC 297 - Strickland vs Du Plessis
Jan 20, 2024; Toronto, Canada, USA; Sean Strickland (red glove) fights Dricus Du Plessis (blue gloves)…
Jan 20, 2024; Toronto, Canada, USA; Sean Strickland (red glove) fights Dricus Du Plessis (blue gloves) during UFC 297 at ScotiaBank Arena. Mandatory Credit: Dan Hamilton-USA TODAY Sports
Share this
image
gallery
MMA: UFC 297 - Strickland vs Du Plessis
Jan 20, 2024; Toronto, Canada, USA; Sean Strickland (red glove) fights Dricus Du Plessis (blue gloves)…
Jan 20, 2024; Toronto, Canada, USA; Sean Strickland (red glove) fights Dricus Du Plessis (blue gloves) during UFC 297 at ScotiaBank Arena. Mandatory Credit: Dan Hamilton-USA TODAY Sports
Share this
image
gallery
MMA: UFC 297 - Strickland vs Du Plessis
Jan 20, 2024; Toronto, Canada, USA; Sean Strickland (red glove) fights Dricus Du Plessis (blue gloves)…
Jan 20, 2024; Toronto, Canada, USA; Sean Strickland (red glove) fights Dricus Du Plessis (blue gloves) during UFC 297 at ScotiaBank Arena. Mandatory Credit: Dan Hamilton-USA TODAY Sports
Share this
image
gallery
MMA: UFC 297 - Strickland vs Du Plessis
Jan 20, 2024; Toronto, Canada, USA; Sean Strickland (red glove) fights Dricus Du Plessis (blue gloves)…
Jan 20, 2024; Toronto, Canada, USA; Sean Strickland (red glove) fights Dricus Du Plessis (blue gloves) during UFC 297 at ScotiaBank Arena. Mandatory Credit: Dan Hamilton-USA TODAY Sports
Share this
image
gallery
MMA: UFC 297 - Strickland vs Du Plessis
Jan 20, 2024; Toronto, Canada, USA; Sean Strickland (red glove) fights Dricus Du Plessis (blue gloves)…
Jan 20, 2024; Toronto, Canada, USA; Sean Strickland (red glove) fights Dricus Du Plessis (blue gloves) during UFC 297 at ScotiaBank Arena. Mandatory Credit: Dan Hamilton-USA TODAY Sports
Share this
image
gallery
MMA: UFC 297 - Strickland vs Du Plessis
Jan 20, 2024; Toronto, Canada, USA; Sean Strickland (red glove) fights Dricus Du Plessis (blue gloves)…
Jan 20, 2024; Toronto, Canada, USA; Sean Strickland (red glove) fights Dricus Du Plessis (blue gloves) during UFC 297 at ScotiaBank Arena. Mandatory Credit: Dan Hamilton-USA TODAY Sports
Share this
image
gallery
MMA: UFC 297 - Strickland vs Du Plessis
Jan 20, 2024; Toronto, Canada, USA; Sean Strickland (red glove) fights Dricus Du Plessis (blue gloves)…
Jan 20, 2024; Toronto, Canada, USA; Sean Strickland (red glove) fights Dricus Du Plessis (blue gloves) during UFC 297 at ScotiaBank Arena. Mandatory Credit: Dan Hamilton-USA TODAY Sports
Share this
image
gallery
MMA: UFC 297 - Strickland vs Du Plessis
Jan 20, 2024; Toronto, Canada, USA; Sean Strickland (red glove) fights Dricus Du Plessis (blue gloves)…
Jan 20, 2024; Toronto, Canada, USA; Sean Strickland (red glove) fights Dricus Du Plessis (blue gloves) during UFC 297 at ScotiaBank Arena. Mandatory Credit: Dan Hamilton-USA TODAY Sports
Share this
image
gallery
MMA: UFC 297 - Strickland vs Du Plessis
Jan 20, 2024; Toronto, Canada, USA; Sean Strickland (red glove) fights Dricus Du Plessis (blue gloves)…
Jan 20, 2024; Toronto, Canada, USA; Sean Strickland (red glove) fights Dricus Du Plessis (blue gloves) during UFC 297 at ScotiaBank Arena. Mandatory Credit: Dan Hamilton-USA TODAY Sports
Share this
image
gallery
MMA: UFC 297 - Strickland vs Du Plessis
Jan 20, 2024; Toronto, Canada, USA; Sean Strickland (red glove) fights Dricus Du Plessis (blue gloves)…
Jan 20, 2024; Toronto, Canada, USA; Sean Strickland (red glove) fights Dricus Du Plessis (blue gloves) during UFC 297 at ScotiaBank Arena. Mandatory Credit: Dan Hamilton-USA TODAY Sports
Share this
image
gallery
MMA: UFC 297 - Strickland vs Du Plessis
Jan 20, 2024; Toronto, Canada, USA; Sean Strickland (red glove) fights Dricus Du Plessis (blue gloves)…
Jan 20, 2024; Toronto, Canada, USA; Sean Strickland (red glove) fights Dricus Du Plessis (blue gloves) during UFC 297 at ScotiaBank Arena. Mandatory Credit: Dan Hamilton-USA TODAY Sports
Share this
image
gallery
MMA: UFC 297 - Strickland vs Du Plessis
Jan 20, 2024; Toronto, Canada, USA; Sean Strickland (red glove) fights Dricus Du Plessis (blue gloves)…
Jan 20, 2024; Toronto, Canada, USA; Sean Strickland (red glove) fights Dricus Du Plessis (blue gloves) during UFC 297 at ScotiaBank Arena. Mandatory Credit: Dan Hamilton-USA TODAY Sports
Share this
image
gallery
MMA: UFC 297 - Strickland vs Du Plessis
Jan 20, 2024; Toronto, Canada, USA; Sean Strickland (red glove) fights Dricus Du Plessis (blue gloves)…
Jan 20, 2024; Toronto, Canada, USA; Sean Strickland (red glove) fights Dricus Du Plessis (blue gloves) during UFC 297 at ScotiaBank Arena. Mandatory Credit: Dan Hamilton-USA TODAY Sports
Share this
image
gallery
MMA: UFC 297 - Strickland vs Du Plessis
Jan 20, 2024; Toronto, Canada, USA; Sean Strickland (red glove) fights Dricus Du Plessis (blue gloves)…
Jan 20, 2024; Toronto, Canada, USA; Sean Strickland (red glove) fights Dricus Du Plessis (blue gloves) during UFC 297 at ScotiaBank Arena. Mandatory Credit: Dan Hamilton-USA TODAY Sports
Share this
image
gallery
MMA: UFC 297 - Strickland vs Du Plessis
Jan 20, 2024; Toronto, Canada, USA; Sean Strickland (red glove) fights Dricus Du Plessis (blue gloves)…
Jan 20, 2024; Toronto, Canada, USA; Sean Strickland (red glove) fights Dricus Du Plessis (blue gloves) during UFC 297 at ScotiaBank Arena. Mandatory Credit: Dan Hamilton-USA TODAY Sports
Share this
image
gallery
MMA: UFC 297 - Strickland vs Du Plessis
Jan 20, 2024; Toronto, Canada, USA; Sean Strickland (red glove) fights Dricus Du Plessis (blue gloves)…
Jan 20, 2024; Toronto, Canada, USA; Sean Strickland (red glove) fights Dricus Du Plessis (blue gloves) during UFC 297 at ScotiaBank Arena. Mandatory Credit: Dan Hamilton-USA TODAY Sports
Share this
image
gallery
MMA: UFC 297 - Strickland vs Du Plessis
Jan 20, 2024; Toronto, Canada, USA; Sean Strickland (red glove) fights Dricus Du Plessis (blue gloves)…
Jan 20, 2024; Toronto, Canada, USA; Sean Strickland (red glove) fights Dricus Du Plessis (blue gloves) during UFC 297 at ScotiaBank Arena. Mandatory Credit: Dan Hamilton-USA TODAY Sports
Share this
image
gallery
MMA: UFC 297 - Strickland vs Du Plessis
Jan 20, 2024; Toronto, Canada, USA; Sean Strickland (red glove) fights Dricus Du Plessis (blue gloves)…
Jan 20, 2024; Toronto, Canada, USA; Sean Strickland (red glove) fights Dricus Du Plessis (blue gloves) during UFC 297 at ScotiaBank Arena. Mandatory Credit: Dan Hamilton-USA TODAY Sports
Share this
image
gallery
MMA: UFC 297 - Strickland vs Du Plessis
Jan 20, 2024; Toronto, Canada, USA; Sean Strickland (red glove) fights Dricus Du Plessis (blue gloves)…
Jan 20, 2024; Toronto, Canada, USA; Sean Strickland (red glove) fights Dricus Du Plessis (blue gloves) during UFC 297 at ScotiaBank Arena. Mandatory Credit: Dan Hamilton-USA TODAY Sports
Share this
image
gallery
MMA: UFC 297 - Strickland vs Du Plessis
Jan 20, 2024; Toronto, Canada, USA; Sean Strickland (red glove) fights Dricus Du Plessis (blue gloves)…
Jan 20, 2024; Toronto, Canada, USA; Sean Strickland (red glove) fights Dricus Du Plessis (blue gloves) during UFC 297 at ScotiaBank Arena. Mandatory Credit: Dan Hamilton-USA TODAY Sports
Share this
image
gallery
MMA: UFC 297 - Strickland vs Du Plessis
Jan 20, 2024; Toronto, Canada, USA; Sean Strickland (red glove) fights Dricus Du Plessis (blue gloves)…
Jan 20, 2024; Toronto, Canada, USA; Sean Strickland (red glove) fights Dricus Du Plessis (blue gloves) during UFC 297 at ScotiaBank Arena. Mandatory Credit: Dan Hamilton-USA TODAY Sports
Share this
image
gallery
MMA: UFC 297 - Strickland vs Du Plessis
Jan 20, 2024; Toronto, Canada, USA; Sean Strickland (red glove) fights Dricus Du Plessis (blue gloves)…
Jan 20, 2024; Toronto, Canada, USA; Sean Strickland (red glove) fights Dricus Du Plessis (blue gloves) during UFC 297 at ScotiaBank Arena. Mandatory Credit: Dan Hamilton-USA TODAY Sports
Share this
image
gallery
MMA: UFC 297 - Strickland vs Du Plessis
Jan 20, 2024; Toronto, Canada, USA; Sean Strickland (red glove) fights Dricus Du Plessis (blue gloves)…
Jan 20, 2024; Toronto, Canada, USA; Sean Strickland (red glove) fights Dricus Du Plessis (blue gloves) during UFC 297 at ScotiaBank Arena. Mandatory Credit: Dan Hamilton-USA TODAY Sports
Share this
image
gallery
MMA: UFC 297 - Strickland vs Du Plessis
Jan 20, 2024; Toronto, Canada, USA; Sean Strickland (red glove) fights Dricus Du Plessis (blue gloves)…
Jan 20, 2024; Toronto, Canada, USA; Sean Strickland (red glove) fights Dricus Du Plessis (blue gloves) during UFC 297 at ScotiaBank Arena. Mandatory Credit: Dan Hamilton-USA TODAY Sports
Share this
image
gallery
MMA: UFC 297 - Strickland vs Du Plessis
Jan 20, 2024; Toronto, Canada, USA; Dricus Du Plessis (blue gloves) celebrates defeating Sean Strickland (red…
Jan 20, 2024; Toronto, Canada, USA; Dricus Du Plessis (blue gloves) celebrates defeating Sean Strickland (red glove) during UFC 297 at ScotiaBank Arena. Mandatory Credit: Dan Hamilton-USA TODAY Sports
Share this
image
gallery
MMA: UFC 297 - Strickland vs Du Plessis
Jan 20, 2024; Toronto, Canada, USA; Dricus Du Plessis (blue gloves) celebrates defeating Sean Strickland (red…
Jan 20, 2024; Toronto, Canada, USA; Dricus Du Plessis (blue gloves) celebrates defeating Sean Strickland (red glove) during UFC 297 at ScotiaBank Arena. Mandatory Credit: Dan Hamilton-USA TODAY Sports
Share this
image
gallery
MMA: UFC 297 - Strickland vs Du Plessis
Jan 20, 2024; Toronto, Canada, USA; Dricus Du Plessis (blue gloves) celebrates defeating Sean Strickland (red…
Jan 20, 2024; Toronto, Canada, USA; Dricus Du Plessis (blue gloves) celebrates defeating Sean Strickland (red glove) during UFC 297 at ScotiaBank Arena. Mandatory Credit: Dan Hamilton-USA TODAY Sports
Share this
image
gallery
UFC 297 Dricus Du Plessis vs Sean Strickland video
Share this
image
gallery
MMA: UFC 297 - Strickland vs Du Plessis
Jan 20, 2024; Toronto, Canada, USA; Dricus Du Plessis (blue gloves) celebrates defeating Sean Strickland (red…
Jan 20, 2024; Toronto, Canada, USA; Dricus Du Plessis (blue gloves) celebrates defeating Sean Strickland (red glove) during UFC 297 at ScotiaBank Arena. Mandatory Credit: Dan Hamilton-USA TODAY Sports
Share this
image
gallery
Dricus Du Plessis def. Sean Strickland, UFC 297 Scorecard
Share this
image
gallery
