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Mick Maynard’s Shoes: What’s next for Sean Strickland after UFC 297 title loss?

(ALSO SEE: Mick Maynard’s Shoes: What’s next for Dricus Du Plessis after UFC 297 title win?)

Sean Strickland’s time as middleweight champion was brought to a halt just over four months after it began when he dropped the strap to Dricus Du Plessis in Saturday’s UFC 297 main event.

Strickland (28-6 MMA, 15-6 UFC) lost a hotly debated split decision to Du Plessis (21-2 MMA, 7-0 UFC) at Scotiabank Arena in Toronto, and now it remains to be seen if his place at the top was merely a one-off, or if he can reassert himself there again.

What’s the best path forward for Strickland after UFC CEO Dana White already ruled out an immediate rematch? Watch the video above for thoughts and analysis on his future after UFC 297.

For more on the card, visit MMA Junkie’s event hub for UFC 297.

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Sean Strickland at UFC 297 media day.

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Dricus Du Plessis UFC 297 ceremonial weigh-in faceoff

Dricus Du Plessis UFC 297 ceremonial weigh-in

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Dricus Du Plessis UFC 297 ceremonial weigh-in faceoff

Dricus Du Plessis UFC 297 ceremonial weigh-in

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Dricus Du Plessis UFC 297 ceremonial weigh-in faceoff

Dricus Du Plessis UFC 297 ceremonial weigh-in

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Sean Strickland UFC 297 ceremonial weigh-ins

Sean Strickland UFC 297 ceremonial weigh-ins

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Sean Strickland UFC 297 ceremonial weigh-ins

Sean Strickland UFC 297 ceremonial weigh-ins

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Sean Strickland vs Dricus Du Plessis UFC 297 ceremonial weigh-ins faceoff

Sean Strickland vs Dricus Du Plessis UFC 297 ceremonial weigh-ins faceoff

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Sean Strickland vs Dricus Du Plessis UFC 297 ceremonial weigh-ins faceoff

Sean Strickland vs Dricus Du Plessis UFC 297 ceremonial weigh-ins faceoff

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Sean Strickland vs Dricus Du Plessis UFC 297 ceremonial weigh-ins faceoff

Sean Strickland vs Dricus Du Plessis UFC 297 ceremonial weigh-ins faceoff

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Sean Strickland vs Dricus Du Plessis UFC 297 ceremonial weigh-ins faceoff

Sean Strickland vs Dricus Du Plessis UFC 297 ceremonial weigh-ins faceoff

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Sean Strickland vs Dricus Du Plessis UFC 297 ceremonial weigh-ins faceoff

Sean Strickland vs Dricus Du Plessis UFC 297 ceremonial weigh-ins faceoff

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Sean Strickland vs Dricus Du Plessis UFC 297 ceremonial weigh-ins faceoff

Sean Strickland vs Dricus Du Plessis UFC 297 ceremonial weigh-ins faceoff

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Sean Strickland vs Dricus Du Plessis UFC 297 ceremonial weigh-ins faceoff

Sean Strickland vs Dricus Du Plessis UFC 297 ceremonial weigh-ins faceoff

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Sean Strickland vs Dricus Du Plessis UFC 297 ceremonial weigh-ins faceoff

Sean Strickland vs Dricus Du Plessis UFC 297 ceremonial weigh-ins faceoff

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Dricus Du Plessis UFC 297 ceremonial weigh-in faceoff

Dricus Du Plessis UFC 297 ceremonial weigh-in

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Dricus Du Plessis UFC 297 ceremonial weigh-in faceoff

Dricus Du Plessis UFC 297 ceremonial weigh-in

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Sean Strickland UFC 297 ceremonial weigh-ins

Sean Strickland UFC 297 ceremonial weigh-ins

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Sean Strickland UFC 297 ceremonial weigh-ins

Sean Strickland UFC 297 ceremonial weigh-ins

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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

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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

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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

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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

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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

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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

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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

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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

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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

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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

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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

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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

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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

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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

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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

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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

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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

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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

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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

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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

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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

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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

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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

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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

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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

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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

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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

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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

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UFC 297 Dricus Du Plessis vs Sean Strickland video

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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

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Dricus Du Plessis def. Sean Strickland, UFC 297 Scorecard

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Story originally appeared on MMA Junkie