Dana White Applauds Sean Strickland’s UFC 297 Victory: ‘The Jab Was Absolutely Beautiful’

During UFC 297 at Toronto’s Scotiabank Arena, Dana White was swept up in the electrifying atmosphere of a main event that kept him on tenterhooks till the very end. The tense bout between Sean Strickland and Dricus Du Plessis had White enthralled throughout its pulsating duration, as he confided during a media briefing after it concluded.

White, recognised for his blunt evaluations, admitted that the battle was quite evenly matched and even went to the extent of declaring it a draw as they approached the last round. Although it was a nerve-wracking experience for the UFC leader, he held Sean Strickland in high esteem due to his exceptional display throughout.

According to the UFC boss, Strickland’s jab was exceptional and worthy of high admiration. White considered it not only efficient but also aesthetically pleasing, as its accuracy and force were particularly notable in a sport where showy manoeuvres tend to dominate attention.

White was impressed and exclaimed, “The jab was absolutely magnificent.” This is not a common expression of admiration from someone who has witnessed numerous fights in the octagon. He stated that Strickland’s jabs accomplished their intended purpose as Du Plessis had both eyes swollen shut, proving his striking abilities were effective.

Strickland’s superiority was demonstrated in the initial two rounds, as noted by White. Strickland effectively employed the often-neglected jab technique in mixed martial arts to drive his strategy and set up a pace that left an evident impact on his adversary. It was a striking display that not only caught White’s attention but also captivated all those observing the encounter unfold before them.

Strickland appeared to have the upper hand during the fight, as per White’s observation. Despite Du Plessis’ commendable 21-2 record prior to entering the match, he seemed to be losing momentum in rounds three and four due to Strickland’s powerful jab, which visibly hindered his ability to make a continuous attack.

Nevertheless, White’s viewpoint was not unanimously shared by the judges present at ringside. In this sport, where different interpretations of scoring can prevail to a great extent, two out of three judges eventually gave higher marks to Dricus Du Plessis in the fight. The conflicting decision (47-48, 48-47, 48-47) caught many off guard and intensified an already captivating match with further controversy.

Sharing his insights as usual, White disclosed that he had the fight evenly matched at 2-2 prior to the final round. According to him, Strickland emerged triumphantly in the last bout; however, this opinion was not universally agreed upon among those present. The discrepancy in score amongst judges and even on a single table highlighted just how closely contested the match was between both fighters.

Although Strickland lost in a split decision, White clung to a traditional belief that could be viewed as outdated in the changing world of mixed martial arts. He stated that for someone to claim victory over the champion, they must clearly defeat them, something he believes is required of all title challengers.

Acknowledging the divisive nature of the bout, White stated that it was simply one of those types of fights. He rooted his philosophy in the tradition that champions must be definitively dethroned, thereby contributing to post-fight discourse with another layer. Although not aligning with modern scoring criteria, White’s perspective reflects a profound belief in honouring and preserving the heritage of sportsmanship.

The moment of truth for Dana White was in the fifth round, where the two fighters had a chance to make an unforgettable impact. Both competitors brought out their fierce determination and unrelenting spirit as they intensified their efforts to secure victory. The gripping spectacle generated suspense throughout the crowd, making it a befitting finale to an exhilarating match that kept everyone at the edge of their seats.

Following UFC 297, where Du Plessis took the victory and became the new middleweight champion, discussions persist. Although the judges’ verdict is conclusive, MMA scoring’s subjective nature guarantees disputes regarding the fight result. Dana White’s evaluation brings a distinct viewpoint to ongoing conversations about the Strickland-Du Plessis bout, thanks to his long-standing involvement in combat sports.

Following UFC 297, both enthusiasts and analysts will recall the noteworthy ultimate bout. The superb jab thrown by Sean Strickland, the fluctuating momentum throughout the match-up, as well as a split decision that generated discourse—all of these aspects played their part in crafting an intricate mixed martial arts fabric. In this erratic realm of ultimate fighting championships where each contest has its own narrative to unravel, there is no doubt that UFC 297’s chapter will be reminisced upon with fervour owing to how it stirred up exhilaration coupled with controversy alike.