Sean Strickland is holding out for a rematch with middleweight champion Dricus Du Plessis rather than taking on Robert Whittaker, he posted on social media on Tuesday. Strickland (29-6 MMA, 16-6 UFC) posted a unanimous decision over Paulo Costa at UFC 302 earlier this month after relinquishing his title to Du Plessis (21-2 MMA, 7-0 UFC) in January at UFC 297. Meanwhile, Whittaker (26-7 MMA, 17-5 UFC) also beat Costa back in February and recorded a knockout win over Ikram Aliskerov on Saturday at the UFC's first event in Saudi Arabia. Though Whittaker has said he'd take on Strickland, the former champ has other ideas. "I keep getting asked to fight Whittaker," Strickland posted on X. "I beat Izzy, the world knows I beat Dricus. Whittaker lost to both. I am the number 1 contender, I defended that spot easily against Costa. I will wait....." In his first title defense, Du Plessis will face Israel Adesanya (24-3 MMA, 13-3 UFC) on Aug. 17 in the UFC headliner in Perth, Australia. Before losing to Du Plessis, Strickland took the title from Adesanya at UFC 293. --Field Level Media
Jun 1, 2024; Newark, New Jersey, USA; Sean Strickland (red gloves)celebrates defeating Paulo Costa (blue gloves) during UFC 302 at Prudential Center. Mandatory Credit: Joe Camporeale-USA TODAY Sports