Sean Strickland gave the reason for his defeat

Twenty-four hours after his controversial title fight loss to Dricus Du Plessis, Sean Strickland has no doubt that he lost his UFC middleweight championship belt because of a head kick the South African delivered to him in the fourth round.

“I didn’t act like a coward and tell the doctor I don’t see anything to have the fight ruled a no contest,” the American wrote on social media, posting a video of his opponent headbutting him after a failed transfer attempt. “The only reason you took that round from me is because I couldn’t see. I won that fight, the whole world knows I won that fight. The belt they gave you will never make you champion, so enjoy it.”

“They had to sew right through the muscle to close the dissection,” he added, commenting on a photo of his stitched eyelid. “Thank you all – your support helps me keep my head held high despite all this. I’m eternally grateful.”

The title fight, which headlined last weekend’s UFC 297 event in Toronto, went all five rounds and ended with Du Plessis winning by split decision with scores of 47-48 and 48-47 twice.

At the post-fight press conference, UFC head Dana White said he considered the American the winner, but made it clear that Strickland should not expect an immediate rematch.

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