Sean Strickland leaves MMA fans stunned with insane body transformation ahead of UFC 297 clash with Du Plessis

SEAN STRICKLAND has undergone a dramatic body transformation ahead of his first title defence.

The controversial American will make the maiden defence of his middleweight title early on Sunday morning in the main event of UFC 297 in Toronto.

Sean Strickland defends his 185lbs title against Dricus du Plessis at UFC 297GETTY

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The middleweight champ has left no stone unturned ahead of his first title defence[/caption]

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Strickland is sporting eye-popping abs ahead of his first title fight[/caption]

Strickland’s first assignment for his reign as middleweight king will be surging South African Dricus du Plessis.

Unlike some champs of yesteryear, Strickland has left no stone unturned for his first title defence.

And his physique has reaped the rewards of eight hard weeks of training at Xtreme Couture and intense dieting.

Tarzan has dropped several pounds from his midriff and is sporting eye-popping abs – which MMA fans couldn’t help but comment on.

One said: “The best shape I’ve ever seen Sean Strickland in.”

Another said: “Damn bro he looks super jacked.”

And another said: “Sean looks good.”

One remarked: “Strickland looks like a unit.”

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Sean Strickland claimed the middleweight title with a shock win over Israel Adesanya last SeptemberGETTY

Another chimed in: “Sean actually has a great physique.”

One stunned UFC fan said: “Holy s**t.”

Strickland came to blows with Du Plessis during the main card of UFC 296 in Las Vegas last month.

Their exchange came 24 hours after Du Plessis mentioned the abuse Strickland suffered as a child, which was in response to the champion making homophobic comments.

And Strickland has vowed to STAB his foe if he mentions his past again, recently saying: “I actually sent him a message.

“And I was like, ‘Dude listen, Dricus, we’re going to go try to murder each other, but if you bring that s**t up again, I will f****g stab you.’

“Press conference, weigh-in — I just told Dricus. He was cool about it, he was cool about it.

“But again, I’m not telling you I don’t want to fight you, Dricus. I’m not saying you’re not a good fighter.

“I’m just saying that that’s a line that, when crossed, it transcends fighting.

“Like, if I go to Canada and you bring that up, well guess what? I’m going to go to jail, they’re going to deport me, and we spent eight weeks of training for no f***ing reason.”

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Sean Strickland and Dricus Du Plessis came to blows at UFC 297[/caption]