Sean Strickland seems to be in relatively good spirits despite losing the middleweight title in the UFC 297 main event Saturday. In the hours following a split decision loss to Dricus Du Plessis at Scotiabank Arena in Toronto, Strickland (28-6 MMA, 15-6 UFC) thanked his supporters through his social media channels – but also claimed a head butt was to blame for a laceration suffered late in the fight. “Big thanks to everyone who supported me!!!!!!!!!” Strickland wrote on Instagram. “Took a headbutt that split open my eye, took a couple rounds to adjust to the blood running in my eyes…. Sucks to lose that way but this is the game! I thought I won even not being able to see out of my left eye but that’s life! Onto the next! Told you I’d bleed for you!!!!!!” View this post on Instagram A post shared by Sean Strickland (@stricklandmma) It’s not exactly clear which damage Strickland attributes to a head butt. He suffered a laceration below his left eye and one atop his head – both of which appeared on the broadcast to be the result of Du Plessis’ punching combinations
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