Mixed Martial Arts and Boxing

Sean Strickland disputes UFC 297 split-decision loss, says world knows who won

TORONTO — Two days after losing his UFC middleweight title to Dricus Du Plessis in a split decision, Sean Strickland is disputing the result. "I won that fight, the world knows I won that fight … The belt they gave you will never make you a champion.

Jan 22, 2024 1:50 PM Read more >

Dricus Du Plessis wins middleweight title after gruelling war of attrition at UFC 297

TORONTO — Middleweight champion Sean Strickland and challenger Dricus (Stillknocks) Du Plessis had promised their UFC 297 showdown would be a war. "To the death," crowed Strickland before the fight. It didn't reach that stage, fortunately.

Jan 21, 2024 11:11 AM Read more >

Challenger Dricus du Plessis wins split decision over Sean Strickland at UFC 297

TORONTO — South African challenger Dricus (Stillknocks) Du Plessis dethroned middleweight champion Sean Strickland, winning a split decision after a five-round gruelling battle in the main event of UFC 297 Saturday night.

Jan 21, 2024 1:29 AM Read more >

Canada's Jasmine Jasudavicius dominates Zombie Girl in UFC 297 undercard win

TORONTO — Canadian bantamweight Jasmine Jasudavicius dominated Brazil's Priscila (Zombie Girl) Cachoeira on the ground en route to a third-round submission win Saturday night on the undercard of UFC 297. The 34-year-old from Niagara, Ont.

Jan 21, 2024 12:17 AM Read more >

Dricus Du Plessis outpoints Sean Strickland at UFC 297 to win the undisputed middleweight belt

TORONTO (AP) — The hostility brewing between Sean Strickland and Dricus Du Plessis finally hit its boiling point at UFC 297 on Saturday night.

Jan 20, 2024 11:57 PM Read more >

Toronto rapper Drake bets big on UFC middleweight champ Sean Strickland at UFC 297

TORONTO — Drake will be cheering for UFC middleweight champion Sean (Tarzan) Strickland at UFC 297 on Saturday night.

Jan 20, 2024 10:20 AM Read more >

Champion Sean Strickland, challenger Dricus Du Plessis make weight ahead of UFC 297

TORONTO — UFC middleweight champion Sean (Tarzan) Strickland and South African challenger Dricus (Stillknocks) Du Plessis both made weight Friday in advance of their UFC 297 showdown Saturday. Fighters had a window from 9 to 11 a.m.

Jan 19, 2024 3:56 PM Read more >

UFC president Dana White no stranger to his fighters speaking out

TORONTO — UFC president Dana White has had more than a few challenging personalities on his roster over the years. UFC middleweight champion Sean (Tarzan) Strickland may take the cake.

Jan 19, 2024 1:09 PM Read more >

The man in the middle: A look at MMA referee Jerin Valel's fight night routine

TORONTO — Winnipeg's Jerin Valel is one of four Canadian referees working Saturday night at UFC 297 in Toronto. A look at his routine: Referees like Valel are hired and supervised by the local commission, not the promoter.

Jan 19, 2024 7:04 AM Read more >

Canadian ref relishes mixed martial arts journey that has taken him around the world

TORONTO — With nine homegrown fighters on the 12-fight card, Canada is well represented at UFC 297. It's the same for the referees. Four of the six working Saturday night are Canadian in Jerin Valel, Todd Anderson, Brian E.

Jan 19, 2024 7:02 AM Read more >