Sean Strickland’s Title Dreams Shattered: What’s Next for the Former Champ?

Sean Strickland’s hopes of reclaiming the UFC middleweight title were dashed in brutal fashion at UFC 312 in Sydney, Australia. Defending champion Dricus Du Plessis dominated the rematch, leaving Strickland bloodied and battered en route to a lopsided unanimous decision victory.

Sean Strickland’s face after both fights with Dricus du Plessis😳 pic.twitter.com/Ic0JQWlkyP

— Lewis Simpson (@LewisSimpsonMMA) February 9, 2025

From the opening bell, Du Plessis set a relentless pace, mixing up his strikes and keeping Strickland on the defensive. The champion’s varied attack of punches, kicks, and elbows gradually wore down the challenger. The defining moment came in the fourth round when Du Plessis landed a devastating right hand that shattered Strickland’s nose, sending blood pouring down his face.

Despite showing tremendous heart, Strickland was unable to mount any significant offense as Du Plessis continued to pour it on in the final round. When the dust settled, the judges’ scorecards read 50-45, 50-45, and 49-46 in favor of the champion.

The loss marks Strickland’s second defeat to Du Plessis in just over a year, leaving him at a crossroads in the competitive middleweight division. As he looks to rebuild and work his way back into title contention, here are three potential opponents who could be next for the former champion:

Israel Adesanya

A rematch with Israel Adesanya makes a lot of sense for both fighters at this stage of their careers. Strickland shocked the world when he dethroned Adesanya at UFC 293 in September 2023, but both men have fallen on hard times since then.

Adesanya is coming off a knockout loss to Nassourdine Imavov at UFC Saudi Arabia last week, his third straight defeat. With both former champions looking to reclaim their spot atop the division, a rematch could determine who remains a legitimate contender and who may need to reassess their future.

The history between these two adds an extra layer of intrigue, and their contrasting styles should make for an entertaining striking battle. Du Plessis himself predicted this matchup in his post-fight interview, saying, “I think the Adesanya rematch will be amazing. That’s what’s going to happen. It’s going to be a Fight Night main event, I know it.”

Robert Whittaker

Another intriguing option for Strickland is a showdown with former champion Robert Whittaker. “The Reaper” remains one of the elite fighters in the division and is always in the mix for title contention.

Whittaker is scheduled to face Khamzat Chimaev at UFC Saudi Arabia in a few weeks, but regardless of the outcome, a fight with Strickland could make sense. If Whittaker wins, it would be a clash of former champions looking to earn another shot at the belt. If he loses, both he and Strickland would be coming off defeats and looking to right the ship.

Stylistically, this matchup would pit Strickland’s pressure boxing against Whittaker’s diverse striking arsenal and wrestling skills. It’s a fresh matchup that could easily headline a Fight Night card or serve as a marquee bout on a pay-per-view event.

Jared Cannonier

For Strickland to truly prove he belongs among the middleweight elite, avenging his controversial loss to Jared Cannonier could be the perfect statement. Cannonier defeated Strickland via split decision in December 2022, but many observers felt Strickland should have gotten the nod.

Cannonier is set to face Nassourdine Imavov next week at a UFC Fight Night event. If he’s successful, a rematch with Strickland could be an appealing option for both fighters. At 40 years old, Cannonier is still chasing his dream of UFC gold, while Strickland needs to prove he can consistently beat the division’s top contenders.

Their first fight was a closely contested striking battle, and a rematch would likely deliver more of the same. With Strickland’s improved takedown defense and Cannonier’s power always a threat, this fight has the potential to be a fan-friendly affair that could determine who remains in the title picture.

As Strickland licks his wounds and contemplates his next move, these three matchups offer intriguing possibilities. Whether he faces a fellow former champion in Adesanya, takes on the always-dangerous Whittaker, or seeks revenge against Cannonier, Strickland’s next fight will be crucial in determining whether he can climb back to the top of the middleweight mountain.