The process of validation now begins in earnest for Sean Strickland.
“Tarzan” will defend his undisputed Ultimate Fighting Championship middleweight crown for the first time when he meets Dricus Du Plessis in the UFC 297 headliner on Jan. 20 at the Scotiabank Arena in Toronto. Strickland, 32, enters the Octagon on the strength of a three-fight winning streak. The Xtreme Couture rep last appeared at UFC 293, where he dethroned Israel Adesanya in a stunning five-round unanimous decision on Sept. 9. Du Plessis, meanwhile, has rattled off eight consecutive victories.