January 19, 2024
UFC Middleweight Title Bout
Title Fight
Click any category to learn how it's calculated.
Predictions and betting recommendations are only available for fights after July 10, 2025
| Metric | Dricus Du Plessis | Sean Strickland |
|---|---|---|
| Total UFC Fights | 7 | 21 |
| Experience Gap | -14 | 14 |
| Experience ELO | 1 446 | 1 290 |
| ELO Change | +46 | -24 |
Dricus Du Plessis overcame a 14-fight experience disadvantage (7 vs 21 fights), earning a reward for beating the more seasoned veteran Sean Strickland.
| Metric | Dricus Du Plessis | Sean Strickland |
|---|---|---|
| Title Fight ? | Yes | Yes |
| Title Fight ELO | 1 225 | 1 224 |
| ELO Change | +82 | -27 |
Title fight! The championship stakes amplified the pressure. Dricus Du Plessis captured the UFC Middleweight Title Bout with a title bonus.
| Metric | Dricus Du Plessis | Sean Strickland |
|---|---|---|
| Fight Outcome | Decision - Split | Decision - Split |
| Last Round | 5 | 5 |
| Time of Finish | 5:00 | 5:00 |
| Win Type ELO | 1 591 | 1 494 |
| ELO Change | +8 | -8 |
The controversial Decision - Split reflected a closely contested battle, with Dricus Du Plessis receiving reduced bonuses due to the lack of clear domination.
| Metric | Dricus Du Plessis | Sean Strickland |
|---|---|---|
| Significant Strikes Landed | 137 | 173 |
| Significant Strikes Attempted | 354 | 408 |
| Total Strikes Landed | 140 | 183 |
| Knockdowns Scored | 0 | 0 |
| Striking ELO | 1 589 | 1 436 |
| ELO Change | +14 | -14 |
Sean Strickland controlled the striking through overwhelming volume (183 vs 140 total strikes), significant strike advantage (173 vs 137). However, since Sean Strickland lost the overall fight, his striking superiority couldn't be converted into ELO bonuses. Dricus Du Plessis's positive striking ELO reflects the overall victory rather than striking dominance.
| Metric | Dricus Du Plessis | Sean Strickland |
|---|---|---|
| Takedowns Landed | 6 | 0 |
| Takedowns Attempted | 11 | 0 |
| Ground Control Time | 2:08 | 0:00 |
| Ground Strikes Landed | 0 | 0 |
| Ground ELO | 1 514 | 1 343 |
| ELO Change | +51 | -51 |
Dricus Du Plessis controlled Sean Strickland on the ground with 6 vs 0 takedowns, 2:08 of control time, earning substantial ground ELO bonuses.
| Metric | Dricus Du Plessis | Sean Strickland |
|---|---|---|
| Days Since Last Fight | 197 | 134 |
| Activity ELO | 1 334 | 1 459 |
| ELO Change | +40 | -32 |
Dricus Du Plessis demonstrated standard activity with 197 days since his last fight, earning a small activity bonus for reasonable scheduling. As the winner, Dricus Du Plessis capitalized on this activity level, while Sean Strickland's 134-day layoff didn't factor into the scoring since only winners receive activity bonuses.
| Metric | Dricus Du Plessis | Sean Strickland |
|---|---|---|
| Win Streak | 7 | 0 |
| Win Streak ELO | 1 317 | 1 245 |
| ELO Change | +63 | -22 |
Dricus Du Plessis continued building serious momentum with a 7-fight win streak, earning a strong bonus as streak bonuses escalate. Sean Strickland's now at 0.
| Metric | Dricus Du Plessis | Sean Strickland |
|---|---|---|
| Weight Class | Middleweight | Middleweight |
| Double Championship Fight | No | No |
| Basic/Category ELO | 1 165 | 1 152 |
| ELO Change | +23 | -23 |
This category provides the foundation ELO scoring without bonuses, except for exceptional multiple division champions.
Why It Matters:
Extra bonuses are awarded for title victories and undefeated streaks. These bonuses are only calculated for certain fighters with notable performances. Only UFC champions and undefeated fighters (in the UFC) can receive these bonuses.