Sean Strickland, Dricus du Plessis's Next Best Fights After UFC 297 Results

Dricus du Plessis captured the UFC's middleweight crown with a split-decision win over Sean Strickland in the main event of UFC 297.

The win punctuated a 6-0 start to his UFC career and a rapid ascension to the title. It's only been a little over three years since the South African made his debut in the organization. Now he's at the top of his division.

For Strickland, it's a major setback. After pulling off a stunning upset against Israel Adesanya to win the belt, he came up short in his quest to defend it and further legitimize his role as champion.

Still, he isn't likely to go away. He is going to be a tough out for most of the division. He has the tools to get back to this spot.

Yet, both fighters are likely to go separate ways in the aftermath of this even. Let's take a look at the best option for each man after UFC 297.

Du Plessis: Israel Adesanya at UFC 300

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SYDNEY, AUSTRALIA - SEPTEMBER 10: Israel Adesanya of Nigeria prepares to face Sean Strickland in the UFC middleweight championship fight during the UFC 293 event at Qudos Bank Arena on September 10, 2023 in Sydney, Australia. (Photo by Chris Unger/Zuffa LLC via Getty Images)

This was the matchup that Sean Strickland destroyed back in September.

The UFC seemed to be angling for a bout between Dricus du Plessis and Israel Adesanya all the way back to UFC 290. The two got into a heated exchange in the cage after Du Plessis defeated Robert Whittaker.

When Strickland upset Adesanya, it threw a real wrench in those plans. Strickland became the champion and set up Du Plessis as his first title defense.

Now Du Plessis has the opportunity to go from champion to star if he can get a fight with Adesanya. He's still the true star of the division. After all, he has five title defenses to his name and a lot more time in the spotlight.

Du Plessis has won the championship, but it's the star power he should be after next. Fighting someone with Adesanya's drawing power on a huge show would be ideal.

UFC 300 figures to be just that. The event already has some big fights on it, including a Justin Gaethje and Max Holloway fight. However, the only title on the line right now is Zhang Weili's women's flyweight title when she fights Yan Xiaonan.

Setting up a middleweight title fight with one of the biggest stars in the sport in Adesanya against a new dominant champion would be big for all parties involved.

Strickland: Jared Cannonier Rematch

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LAS VEGAS, NEVADA - DECEMBER 17: (L-R) Opponents Jared Cannonier and Sean Strickland face off prior to their middleweight fight during the UFC Fight Night event at UFC APEX on December 17, 2022 in Las Vegas, Nevada. (Photo by Chris Unger/Zuffa LLC)

Sean Strickland shocked everyone when he beat Israel Adesanya with a unanimous decision. But anytime an upset of that magnitude is followed up with a loss, there's always some credibility lost.

Strickland doesn't have the reputation as a champion to qualify for an immediate rematch, but there are other ways for him to rebuild his credibility in the wake of his UFC 297 loss. He could start by avenging another loss.

Jared Cannonier and Strickland fought to a split decision back in December 2022. Since then Cannonier has fought just once, a unanimous decision win over Marvin Vettori. A bout against Roman Dolidze was scheduled for December but was scrapped due to an MCL injury.

As long as Cannonier can be ready to fight in the late spring or early summer it would be a good opportunity for the 39-year-old to reintroduce himself into the title picture or give Strickland a shot at redemption.