Sean Strickland replies Dricus du Plessis claim has staph infection

Sean Strickland responds to Dricus du Plessis’s claim he has a staph infection

American Sean Strickland is healthy and ready to fight South Africa’s Dricus du Plessis this weekend in Sydney.

Dricus du Plessis was a big winner in more ways than one. Image: Richard Wainwright / EPA / BackpagePix

American Sean Strickland is healthy and ready to fight South Africa’s Dricus du Plessis this weekend in Sydney.

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That’s the message from the former middleweight champion in response to a social media post from Du Plessis that questioned if perhaps he brought an infection along with him from the United States to Australia.

On Wednesday, Du Plessis posted a photo featuring a side-by-side image of Strickland from their first meeting and then during this current fight week in Australia in his Instagram stories with the caption “What? He grew taller and added staph infection to his arsenal. Oh shit.”

In the final question during the UFC 312 pre-fight press conference on Thursday, Strickland responded to that post after he was asked if he was battling a staph infection heading into the rematch.

“Listen you motherf*ckers, I’m immune to staph,” Strickland shouted.

“You see this f*cking moustache? I give staph, I don’t f*cking get staph.

“Calm the f*ck down. I don’t get sick. I don’t get f*cking injured and I don’t get f*cking staph. So relax.

What is a staph infection?

Staph infections are caused by staphylococcus bacteria and are commonly found on the skin but if not treated properly, the infection can actually turn deadly if the bacteria invades the bloodstream, joints, bones, lungs or heart.

The skin infection, which often looks like a boil or a blister, can be highly contagious, which is why fighters often deal with the issue because of the physical contact required during training sessions in the gym.

Treatment for staph infection involves a course of antibiotics, which can also affect athletes negatively in a fight.

“I’m going to be out there on Sunday and I’m going to come out f*cking hard and strong,” Strickland said.

“The hardest and strongest you’ve ever f*cking seen. To the f*cking death, Dutchman!”

Second encounter

The middleweight rivals look to settle their differences when they meet for the second time in the UFC 312 main event.

Du Plessis and Strickland shared “Fight of the Night” honours in their first encounter which took place at UFC 297 in January 2024 and saw the South African star claim a hard-fought points victory.

As reported by The South African website, the bout will headline UFC 312 at the Qudos Bank Arena in Sydney.

Factoring in the time difference, the main card fights is only likely to begin after 05:00 (SA time) on Sunday, 9 February.

The exact time of the Du Plessis-Strickland bout will depend on how long some of the earlier bouts last.

Leading South African bookmakers Betway have installed Du Plessis as 5/10 favourite for the fight, with Strickland on offer at 8/5.

Strickland, who has been with the UFC since March 2014, has a career record of 29-6 (16-6 in the UFC), while Du Plessis sports a 22-2 record heading into UFC 312.

He is unbeaten in his past 10 fights and has a perfect 8-0 record in the UFC.