WATCH | Wild scenes as Strickland attacks Dricus du Plessis in MMA crowd

• UFC star Dricus du Plessis was involved in a brawl with American Sean Strickland in Las Vegas this past weekend.
• The two will meet in a much-anticipated bout on 20 January in Toronto.
• Strickland, who was escorted out of the arena, was seen throwing punches at Du Plessis.
• For more sports news, go to the News24 Sport front page.

South African UFC fighter Dricus du Plessis and his American rival, Sean Strickland, were involved in an all-out brawl on Saturday.

This past weekend, the duo came face-to-face at the UFC 296 event in Las Vegas as they watched Leon Edwards taking down Colby Covington in the main event.

READ | 'Hulle weet nie wat ons weet nie': UFC star Dricus du Plessis explains what 'they' don't know ...

When cameras panned to the two, Strickland, who sat a few rows in front of Du Plessis, decided to throw a few punches.

In what seemed as good-natured fun, Du Plessis was all smiles as he dodged imaginary bullets, before Strickland turned around to face him.

After Du Plessis threw some words at Strickland's back, the American fighter asked a female fan to move out of the way before launching himself at the South African.

Strickland was able to land a few punches before security separated the two middleweights and Strickland was escorted out of the arena.

They will now have the opportunity to settle their differences in an officially sanctioned bout for the UFC middleweight title on 20 January in Toronto.

The feud continued on social media with Strickland making the first jab:

"I go hard on everyone I know this, izzy mouth feeding his dog, Dricus kissing his coach and grabbing his cup. Omally talking about sharing his wife in a podcast," he tweeted.

Du Plessis responded on X, stating he lives "rent free" in Strickland's mind.

"Now I understand why you have a 33% finish rate, you hit like a girl, also 20 January the security won't be there to save your life when I'm on top #rentfree."

Du Plessis enters the January title bout on an eight-fight win streak, including wins in his first six UFC appearances.

The South African made headlines when he overcame former champion Robert Whittaker at UFC 290 to remain undefeated this year.