Dricus Du Plessis downplays the Sean Strickland trash talk & previews the UFC 297 fight | ESPN MMA

Dricus Du Plessis downplays the Sean Strickland trash talk & previews the UFC 297 fight | ESPN MMA
Dricus Du Plessis sits down with Jon Anik ahead of UFC 297’s main event matchup with Sean Strickland.
0:00 Time in the UFC
2:30 Robert Whittaker fight
6:33 Sean Strickland's win over Israel Adesanya
10:35 Fighting in Toronto
14:32 UFC in South Africa
#ESPN #MMA #UFC #UFC297
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[@MygodEmperor]

"I'm African but I ain't no brother of yours, Son" that line was cold..the set up and all..

[@christineantonites2398]

Ice cold hey! In that moment he was a potential opponent.

[@aduhmbased]

It was a boss move man.

[@MygodEmperor]

@@aduhmbased Yup.. And the way drunk Izzy came calling him the N word and all..

[@Bluepickles333]

@@MygodEmperorthat act of Izzy saying that word 367 times made me lose so much respect for him as a fan.

[@MygodEmperor]

@@Bluepickles333 You got that, Bruv... Used to like Izzy so much but I just couldn't roll with him anymore...I probably didn't open my eyes before but now, I saw/find Izzy too cringed and weird lately!!

[@pinkyy1989]

Anik: “It’s good to see you brother, how are you” DDP: “I’m African but I’m no brother of yours”

[@christineantonites2398]

Rotfl

[@shelr8204]

Haha

[@bodyrullz]

...SON !

[@bahlsdeepe868]

Im so glad they got Jon Anik doing this interview. He is just the right amount👌🏼

[@cobusbrits2]

Love hearing his voice when things go wild. He has the best voice in the business.

[@Muttie69]

I enjoy megans interview with sean aswell, Can tell she made him more comfortable then the normal. Jon is a great interviewer/commentator. One of the best

[@stephenm3470]

I think anik does a better job of keeping them on question, the sean strickland interview was just monologues to different questions. I'll bet next time she doesn't let that happen.

[@John.Flower.Productions]

He is the worst commentator working in professional sports today, including AAA Baseball on AM radio.

[@danielgonzalez-yp7hi]

Definitely the best UFC commentator, his mouth & lips want to keep talking even when he’s not, lol , reminds me of them crackheads down the street, but in a good way . 😁 ❄️

[@JTJ92]

We're very excited and very proud of Dricus. He is a humble and hard working, and has time for his fans at home in SA, happy to shake hands and take pics. I met him at a local boxing event in Cape Town, the dude had fought in the UFC days before in Vegas, flew 20 hours back to JHB and then further to Cape Town to corner his teammates in an amateur boxing event. Let's go Dricus you yster!! UFC Cape Town coming soon!!

[@markonastov8918]

Dude is all heart. Hope he wins the belt.

[@tonedeaf_film]

Which bar is open in Cape Town this weekend for us to watch the main event together ?

[@Bluepickles333]

@@tonedeaf_filmMcDonald’s on 5th Ave

[@mavvynne444]

​@@Bluepickles333🤣🤣🤣🤣

[@Windsofthesix]

​@@Bluepickles333😂😂😂I'll b there....let's go DDP

[@MrRuipereira7]

A beast and clearly intelligent and well-spoken, conducts himself like a champion already.

[@Nzborn]

You sound just like him

[@REDJACK9879]

DDPs coach grabbing his private parts in the octagon was real classy too!! Bunch of welrdos

[@mohammadnashitsiddiqui2168]

Would be an amazing champion

[@mtrcyl1360]

"All the memories of your father beating you are going to come back tenfold" lol dudes a menace

[@REDJACK9879]

@@mtrcyl1360 Menace? 💀

[@MasterSpencer2483]

Whittaker is my favorite fighter and their fight broke my heart, but I love how much respect and admiration he shows. Super classy

[@user-if8qo5dj2i]

Whittaker sucks 😂 dude hasn’t improved in years yet ppl made it seem like he was unbeatable outside of Izzy

[@gizmoza]

@@user-if8qo5dj2iwell he was! No one beat him besides Izzy for 10+ years

[@nickgrant2625]

​@@user-if8qo5dj2iyou're a moron mate

[@mmaslav6176]

​@@user-if8qo5dj2iyou are so stupid. Whittaker was literally unbeatable outside izzy for 9 years. So he sucks lol.

[@Chris75717]

@@user-if8qo5dj2iL

[@spiffy8576]

Love to see Dricus have a long reign as champion.

[@sallgoodman2323]

He's incredibly well-spoken, thoughtful and delivers great answers. I would've loved to have seen the Izzy Dricus fight, but this fight is gonna be interesting. No picks yet, I can't decide just now

[@duramaxdad]

He’s well spoken. ESP for an African.

[@antonioperez4796]

Dricus will finish Strickland

[@ronnienoneyabusiness2844]

Yeah sparkles vs twinkle toes would've been so kewl😂

[@acemarshals3211]

​@@duramaxdadwtf is that supposed to mean

[@mmaqube]

You know exactly what they meant, it is a bait @@acemarshals3211

[@siviwetshuma5437]

DDP a true gentleman

[@REDJACK9879]

So is DDPs coach grab them by the 🐓 right? 😂

[@Munchmalloww]

​@@REDJACK9879 Nailpainting American spotted 😂🤡

[@Rheagar9]

hes not a gentleman lmao

[@HighCountryDirtBiking]

🏳️‍🌈 🎉

[@jimmicrackhead12]

Code for boring 😂

[@RASTAMMA88]

Dricus is actually an intellectual. You can tell the dude is smart af

[@mikescully6546]

He gets punched for a living

[@Hanashi_mma]

This guy really came down like a speeding train to a title shot ! Earned not given for sure

[@weez5987]

💯

[@John_Connor556]

🎯

[@levis503]

Go back and watch DDP efc and ksw fights. They are wild and dude was a division champion at welterweight if you can believe it. How he got down to 170 is bonkers.

[@levis503]

Go back and watch DDP efc and ksw fights. They are wild and dude was a division champion at welterweight if you can believe it. How he got down to 170 is bonkers.

[@Hanashi_mma]

@@levis503 ohh i believe it. The ufc countdown show , showed him dominating! Strickland has his work cut out for him

[@basedgeorgewashington]

This is the most conflicted I’ve been on who to support for a title fight ever. Both stand up gentlemen in their own unique way.

[@thegreatape884]

DDP is the only choice. Strickland is exactly what he says he hates, he's an hypocrite, he can say whatever he wants to whoever he wants. freedom of speech and you're a snowflake and all that. But if someone says anything about him, then that's not allowed, that's off limits and not OK and he'll stab you for it, freedom of speech has limits now. He's a snowflake.

[@Holisync]

Strickland isn't a gentleman at all🤣

[@stealthyturtles]

@@Holisyncguess you don’t have any blue collar workers in your family cause Strickland is the every day man

[@Rheagar9]

neither guy is a gentleman

[@101mrcrazyman]

​@stealthyturtles but he still isnt a gentleman

[@rejachemno]

What was impressive above the knockout was that he made Whittaker quit. Whittaker went out on his shield against WB and Adesanya, but with Dricus, he shelled up and curled into a ball 😢

[@bobbyabrahm3506]

Who is WB?

[@willeaves6803]

@@bobbyabrahm3506 Stephen Thomson

[@Muttie69]

Wonder boy@@bobbyabrahm3506

[@Muttie69]

To be fair man he has taken alot of damage . esp those yoel romero wars. Guarantee he reacts differently to being hit hard now because of all the damage before. Can only take so much, and never expected him to ball up either. But we don't know what was going on in his mind, probably spinning a mile a minute in his brain

[@gluehuffer6955]

​@@bobbyabrahm3506stephen thompson presumably

[@JollyCascade921]

We watching our boy in Xhosa Commentary .... Sean was a great Champ....get that belt💯🇿🇦🇿🇦🇿🇦

[@brianwymer7812]

as an American, I'm pulling for Sean but I wouldn't be upset if DDP also wins. love both of these fighters. hopefully a war for 5 rounds

[@christineantonites2398]

Strickland claims to be Australian, 🙈come over to the Stillnox side😊

[@Deluded-Gunner94]

I also like Strickland but as a South African I have to pull for DDP

[@rickardred17]

Props to you ddp, cheering for you from Toronto at home!

[@snoopshrek8315]

DDP has a chance to be a huge superstar... Great looking, great talker, exciting fights, and is friends with MMA guru. He could potentially finish Whittaker, Strickland, Adesanya all in a row.

[@MightBeJeremyRoman]

Stricklands gonna slow his career down.

[@stevepypers3044]

@@MightBeJeremyRoman😂😂i will be back here 20 jan when ddp smokes sean🇿🇦🏆🔥

[@anzafouche4263]

He did finish Whittaker at ufc 290

[@101mrcrazyman]

how did it taste?

[@TreyParker318]

You could add Brunson and Till to that list too. Would be an epic run.

[@mollyhatchet7075]

I can't imagine a better man to represent MMA than Driscus .... ....He is the classiest fighter since George ....

[@failnation3472]

Fr GSP vibes

[@jasonred3874]

12:50 lmfao Jon with that laugh 😭

[@JimMelanson]

Was looking for this comment lol. Anik is hilarious

[@jasongt5433]

Desean Strickland is the real African Champion!

[@Venomroos]

D'cision Strickland

[@beaualoevv]

average unemployed 300Ibs ‘the mma gayru’ subscriber

[@codyhaines4272]

​Dstill strickland​@@Venomroos

[@nicowins]

@@beaualoevvkid you are under 180 pounds and still not in high school

[@beaualoevv]

Sean: kiss your coach fg Dricus: your dad Sean: 😭😭😭😭😢😢😢😡😡😡

[@o-townminideals3104]

Man, I've been rooting for this guy from the first time I saw him in the UFC...I just don't want to see Sean lose, but I want to see DDP win...MMA is a crazy sport🤙

[@MrKHroM0]

South Africa (Where i'm from) breeds some top tier human beings. Elon musk is from South Africa... That should tell you :P

[@handbanana4899]

Solid, levelheaded response to what came to pass. Might be rooting for the other guy, but I like this one's answers.

[@ryanbailey2915]

the more i listen to this guy the more of a fan i become

[@katelyn9182]

Pumped for this fight! Two outstanding fighters who never back down. Both unique and inspirational in their own ways. Excellent matchup- can’t wait!

[@donnieraymond8580]

Perfectly said.

[@porkerpete7722]

Yeah I think this is bigger for Dricus than Sean. Sean represents the common man, but Dricus is doing it for a whole country.

[@HighCountryDirtBiking]

🏳️‍🌈 🎉

[@Stndr-iq6yn]

@@HighCountryDirtBikingwtf is that flag

[@HighCountryDirtBiking]

@@Stndr-iq6yn DDP the real champ kiss his coach in the mouth yay ⚧️ 🏳️‍⚧️ 🏳️‍🌈

[@vvonpanzerr3092]

Dricus, DeSean and Perry.. the new 3 African Kings! 👑👑👑

[@louiejackson2352]

This fight is amazing for the middleweight division and I can’t wait to see it come Saturday. Dricus is an incredibly likable fighter and I hope he can put on a great performance. 🇿🇦

[@hockthebest]

Can't believe he is being overlooked in this fight, yet again, after such an impressive TKO win against Whitaker. I'm not surprised if he TKO Strickland in early rounds

[@fmac6441]

Personally, I think he wins, but as Strickland surprised against Izzy and is the current champion, it is natural that he is the favorite. Furthermore, Sean character(persona) is more conducive to having a more vocal fan base

[@dudemang1353]

Agreed

[@donjoe2661]

He isn't being overlooked. I give DDP 90% to win.

[@wesleyrandelhoff5650]

Izzy never showed up to be fair though@@fmac6441

[@shaneisninja]

He isnt overlooked. Whoever is overlooking a dude that stopped Bobby knuckles is brainless and their opinion holds no value.

[@2ZZGE100]

Cheering for Dricus from Calgary, Alberta Canada.

[@PCRig15]

DDP ,top human, top fighter, and hopefully a top champion. Give it everything,give him nothing and take everything, sir. All the best.

[@botbob1872]

D'sean and platinum Perry are my two favourite African fighters

[@liquidwealth6518]

Dricus Ultimate Champ 🥇🏆🇿🇦

[@tdsetffr7350]

He’s not going to win sorry bro

[@Flukex-ew7yo]

I really like DDP, hasnt put a foot wrong since ive seen him debut, love his pressure, i think he gets his hand raised this weekend. Sean cant out pressure DDP

[@ShaDusK]

Jon's laugh is like an emergency laugh. "AHAH"

[@treyhill8230]

Yeah son! Dricus a man of God! This dude's mental is so clear and now we know why.

[@rayr6454]

Amen

[@shelr8204]

🙌

[@liamrenou2534]

he is a hero in SA, and he will become and hero all over the world. 🇿🇦🇿🇦 BRING HOM HUIS TOE DRICUS!!!! 💵🥇

[@DH702..]

Genuine question, do black south africans like him?

[@roycep1737]

​@@DH702.. here we stand by our own. 🇿🇦

[@andreweconomakis1827]

​@DH702.. Yes they do ❤ Our blood is green and gold 🇿🇦

[@anzafouche4263]

Dricus du Plessis going to be the new champ. No 2 ways about it 💪💪

[@gabrielplattes6253]

Let's go, Dricus! - greetings from Western Australia! 👊💥✌💰

[@e13kid]

I was team Izzy now I’m team DDP, I didn’t see that coming 🤣

[@tearsien]

I bet ur easily manipulated too

[@e13kid]

@@tearsien It’s a sport mate, I’m here primarily to be entertained, settle yourself down.

[@shelr8204]

Welcome aboard 😉

[@jamaicanloneanimal8224]

@@shelr8204same to you too😂

[@unsub6737]

The UFC MW belt is hearded to Pretoria, South Africa, nakanjani.

[@jasonsaleem552]

Excellent interview! Thank you!

[@grott0]

Very impressed with this interview. This guy has championship mentality.

[@TruthseekerEOD]

Dricus is gonna take that belt. Sorry SS

[@pietiebeyers5237]

Great questions. Excellent interview.

[@markbrown-sb2zm]

So proud of Dricus. So great to see the fruit in his personality and his unshakeable belief.

[@TheMightyTigz]

Draycus wins easily IMO. Good to see Jon and uncle Chael have been hanging out.

[@juliannewman8720]

I'm a huge Sean fan & want him to win but I wouldn't mind seeing Drivus win either. He's a breathe of fresh air. Sean got his title & has been at the top so if it's DDP's turn, then I would embrace it

[@QWERTY10680]

Dricus has a monster skull. Some guys are built like fighters, Dricus is one of them.

[@R4RB]

2:31 Dricus beat Whittaker in July of this year? DDP is not only a world-class fighter, but he’s also a time traveler, wow 😮

[@allstar4life3000]

Dropping a like for ESPN letting Anik drop an F bomb

[@AlbertVanWyk-kz8sl]

Dricus wil bring the belt to Africa and keep it here...... Team CIT.. 🇿🇦💯💣⌚

[@claypotts2334]

Team cash-in-transit😔🇿🇦

[@user-eq6ki8mv6w]

I think dricuss finishers him within two rounds

[@rayr6454]

Dricus die feit dat jy ons Heilige Vader op bring en Hom erken op internasionale tv en social media. Verseker! Jy gaan wen. God versorg vir Sy kinders. Die was beste interview ooit!

[@eeQ-san]

95% vs 33% finish rates

[@shfsp]

Man dricus is so well rounded in every aspect. His mind is just as strong as his body and sharp as his skill. Think we gonna have a new champion for a long time.

[@katlego8539]

Dricus really putting my city on the map, now it’s time to bring the belt back home to Pretoria 🇿🇦🇿🇦

[@LIIIIIFE]

DDP HIP TOSSED ROBERT HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA

[@astronomers]

First AFRICAN Champ bring the belt to stay in Africa🇿🇦🔥

[@jackmcilwaine5580]

This is a huge moment for him to rise to a real superstar in the UFC, comes across as a genuine bloke as well

[@Shroomskyoffical]

I think this Is gonna be the best fight in UFC history.

[@greglane334]

The "truth will set you free" line was pure gold 😂 Jon is the GOAT Looking forward to UFC SA. The whole country is proud of you Dricus, bring home that belt

[@cambo6911]

Giving props to JC..... Now I'm sure this is one of my favorite current fighters. Humble champ mentality all the way. Let's go brother!! Hallelujah to the Lamb of God

[@moontexts]

I just got done looking up is DDP Christian (isn't a dealbreaker, I like Strickland and he isn't) and he brings up his Lord and savior right after. God bless DDP.

[@rayr6454]

God looks after his children

[@colinchesbrough5772]

Still can get over Sean's presser. Died a little inside...... from laughter

[@theryancorona]

what is going on with the audio in these recent ESPN uploads

[@amgis5218]

Cannot wait for this fight on the weekend. Dricus is a beast. He'll knock Sean out, before round 4. God speed, Dricus. You're going to be a long-standing champion, for many, many years to come.

[@28chucky]

What time is the actual fight please in Australia

[@alexandertarango6094]

this is how a real man carries himself. not like klu klux strickland

[@ConorMcRocketFuel]

07:46 "According to me now, I never have to fight Israel Adesanya." Dana 🤑: "Oh but you will Dricus, you will me dear boy"

[@tony_dogs]

Guy's TKOing Strickland within 3, the MW belt's going to South Africa this saturday

[@kevinobrien9241]

I just watched this and Sticklands interview back to back. Completely torn who wins this fight, 2 great guys

[@raybay7237]

Why is this interview uncensored but the Sean Strickland interview isn’t?

[@philmicklewright1508]

Has Dricus even swore in this interview?

[@damonarchary1582]

Dricus you the man

[@Jg3.3]

JUST GLAD BRETT OKO WASNT THE INTERVIEWER 😂

[@99cone]

ddp is a helluva fighter and his mental game is sharp,im really looking forward to the fight ufc 297 lfg

[@MistaLova-Lova]

​ @MollyWhopMMA This one's for you, my man. I know that you just dropped a video about Sean three months ago, but if there were ever to be a Part 2, this interview would be a goldmine for you.

[@filmlab_uk]

Pure class

[@PrettyGJulio]

I am a Strickland fan and even though I didn’t like dricus presser comment at all I think he is all around a stand up guy , let the better man win !

[@nickygrobler2979]

Great Interview! DDP for second round knockout! 👌🏻👍🏻💪🏻

[@andytof47]

Sean spoke as an A-hole, Dricus spoke pure evil, big difference..

[@fredk6992]

Sean accused Izzy of raping his dead dog and made fun of a fighter who passed away a few days before…

[@fredk6992]

Sean accused Izzy of raping his dead dog and made fun of a fighter who passed away a few days before…

[@WernerRachtman]

I want Sean to win bit man its hard to dislike Dricus.

[@Njvghvvnn]

Hard to like a fake nice guy. I don’t buy the shape shifting changing his stories he’s just not a real honest person he’s pandering 24/7. First Sean has no composure for fighting him in the stands the next week it makes him a real man. This guy is just fake or dumb and confused forgetting his own words but I think it’s fake

[@fgc1850]

​@@Njvghvvnn he has never talked to the media for a main event

[@steclarke3937]

The Jon Anik laugh always gets me 😂 HAW HAW

[@justinromine4338]

May the best man get the W

[@safwansenusi2278]

seems like a humble dude who just handles his business shout out south africa

[@hkrause6565]

After watching Sean's interview I'd much rather listen to this guy as the face of middleweight than someone that sounds like a trailer park drug addict.

[@bibaboba-cp6ei]

lmaooo istg sean must be the first non-methhead in the world with a brain of a methhead

[@bakedbake]

It should be scary to the MW division he's actually acknowledged the cardio issues and didn't try to lie and say he's not really gassed. If he really got his cardio right we might be seeing a long reining champion in the making

[@claytonbigbsy3880]

Bobby knuckles had two incredible runs to ufc gold, father-time gets them all! Great match up. Pick ‘‘em fight this one lad!

[@mememinister6442]

Very professional fighter I love to watch & listen to DDP good luck bro

[@PRESD4TIME]

Let’s freakin’ gooo Dricus 🇿🇦 ⚔️

[@tictacufo3326]

Talking really nice about someone who elbowed you in front of 50,000 screaming fans.

[@vernon8259]

Dricus is bringing it home!! ❤

[@IsenathiDyantyi]

ahhhhhhh Man i love this 🙏🏿 Jon Anik is my best Commentator & I'm from South Africa🇿🇦 obviously Dricus is My Boy🏌

[@Sammig8]

Nice solid guy honestly got nothing against him, I just love Sean so much

[@FinnMMA]

biggest hypocrite ever love Sean but he got exposed bad lets go Dricus

[@Sammig8]

@@FinnMMAoh I agree he’s a bit of a hypocrite, but I don’t really care, he makes me smile and laugh

[@Frengie77]

12:50 Jon anik laugh 😂🤣

[@themu2715]

Yes he is

[@juyale2564]

Cool and collected guy Dricus. Till was unlucky to have a comeback fight against him. Would have been better to have a comeback fight against someone ealse 🙃. Super strong guy. Nice person too it seems.

[@thefunkopopguy]

My favorite fighter and favorite analyst. A dream interview. See you soon boys!!!!

[@CovertBandit0]

8:51 lmaoooo Anik !!

[@OverHand]

can't wait

[@NomadicTom]

cant wait

[@fuzzywuzzy0549]

Lets go Dricus.