SEAN STRICKLAND attacked Dricus du Plessis just weeks before their title fight in ugly scenes in Las Vegas.
The middleweight duo were sat in the VIP section of the T-Mobile Arena during the main card of UFC 296.
GettySean Strickland and Dricus du Plessis will get it on in the octagon on January 20[/caption]
TNT SPORTSThe controversial Strickland caused chaos at last night’s UFC 296[/caption]
TNT SPORTSHe attacked Du Plessis at cageside in the VIP section[/caption]
GettyUFC president Dana White took the blame for the chaos afterwards[/caption]
Champion Strickland jokingly pretended to fire a gun shot at his imminent challenger after they both came up on the big screen.
But he was soon throwing real shots moments later as he stunningly attacked the South African.
The controversial Strickland asked welterweight contender Gilbert Burns to move his children out of the way before jumping into the South African and throwing several hard elbows his way.
Du Plessis took the shots and defended himself well before fellow fighters intervened.
Security and Las Vegas police quickly got involved and separated the duo, with Strickland being escorted from the arena
Du Plessis was seething and had to be held back as he calmed down.
The crazy scenes spread like wildfire on social media and MMA fans were quick to comment.
One said: “SEAN STRICKLAND BOMBS AWAY.”:
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Another said: “Whoever was in charge of seating wanted some drama tonight!”
And another said: “Whyyy did they sit them so close together lol dana wanted that s*** to go down.”
One remarked: “10-9 sean.”
Another chimed in: “Strickland pounding him like donkey kong.”
The unsavoury scenes were lamented by UFC president and chief executive Dana White, who blamed himself for the brawl.
He said: “So what kind of an a**hole, sits Strickland next to Du Plessis? This a**hole. That’s who. How f***ing stupid is that?
“I don’t know what human you can sit Strickland next to, but definitely not Du Plessis. I don’t even know how I missed that. This is the business we’re in.
“I say it all the time. We jumped in there and told Strickland to go in the back, he decided to leave, so he left the arena.
“And Du Plessis is good. We were literally just talking right there. Gentlemen, we are in the fight business – and ladies.”
Du Plessis reflected on the incident on X, writing: “Now I understand why you have a 33% finish rate, you hit like a girl.
“Also 20 Jan the security won’t be there to save your life when I’m on top #rentfree.”
Du Plessis will bid to end Strickland’s reign as middleweight king at UFC 297 on January 20.