In a shocking turn of events, UFC 296 at T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas not only showcased intense fights inside the octagon but also witnessed a heated altercation between fighters Sean Strickland and Dricus Du Plessis. The incident, which unfolded in front of a horrified crowd, has set the stage for an explosive showdown at UFC 297 in Toronto.

Cameras captured the wild scene as Du Plessis, sitting a few rows behind Strickland, began booing him. Seemingly provoked, Strickland retaliated by standing up and mimicking firing an imaginary gun towards Du Plessis. The tension escalated as Strickland turned around and engaged in a verbal exchange with his opponent. In a disturbing twist, Strickland then instructed those seated between him and Du Plessis, including a child, to move aside.

As cameras continued to focus on the escalating situation, Strickland approached Du Plessis and unleashed a barrage of punches, repeatedly striking his opponent's head with his right hand. The melee was eventually halted with UFC CEO Dana White stepping in to separate the fighters. ESPN broadcaster Jon Anik confirmed that Strickland was promptly escorted out of the T-Mobile Arena.

The intense altercation between Strickland and Du Plessis has left fans anticipating an explosive clash at UFC 297. This upcoming fight seems to be fueled by genuine animosity, with both fighters taking their feud to social media following the incident. Strickland targeted fellow UFC fighter Israel Adesanya, calling him out for various controversial actions, including disrespectful behavior towards his opponents. Du Plessis retaliated by mocking Strickland's fight record and promising to dominate their upcoming bout.

The clash between Strickland and Du Plessis reflects the intense rivalries that often emerge in the world of UFC. While the promotion is no stranger to hyping future events, the genuine hostility between these two fighters promises an unforgettable showdown. With Strickland boasting an impressive 28-5 MMA record, including a 15-5 UFC record, and Du Plessis maintaining an undefeated 20-2 record with a 6-0 UFC record, the absence of security at UFC 297 is expected to add an element of danger and unpredictability to the match.

The explosive altercation between Strickland and Du Plessis comes on the heels of a contentious press conference held the day before UFC 296. This heated event, aimed at promoting UFC 297 in Toronto, saw the two fighters engaging in a tense face-off that required the intervention of UFC CEO Dana White to prevent physical confrontation. During the press conference, Strickland also took the opportunity to criticize Colby Covington, who was headlining UFC 296's main event against Leon Edwards, labelling him as a "piece of s-t" and accusing him of betraying everyone he knows.

In light of these recent events, UFC 297 is expected to be a captivating spectacle, drawing in fans eager to witness the culmination of the intense rivalry between Strickland and Du Plessis. The combination of their impressive fighting records, the absence of security, and the animosity between them guarantees a thrilling and potentially volatile encounter inside the octagon.