The NRL star, Nathan Cleary, was one of the multiple Australian sports stars seen in the Qudos Bank event for the UFC 312 event on Sunday.
The controversial American star, who had previously attacked against Australia calling the “communist” government, was defeated in a brutal and bloody fighter by the South African fighter Dricus du Plessis in the main event.
Du Plessis broke his opponent's nose while he won a unanimous decision victory against Strickland in his revenge, to retain his medium weight title.
Faced with record assistance in an inner Australian sand, Zhang Weili defended Tatian ANSHUL JUJI.
He produced a prolific knockout in his debut fight with a large right above the right, sending his opponent to the canvas with the referee who finished the contest.
Cleary was one of several high profile names within the Qudos Bank Arena and met with the president of UFC, Dana White, during the night and sat next to his fellow NRL stars of NRL Hudson Young and Scott Sorensen.
In other places, other big names were seen in the crowd, including the head of NRL, Peter V'landys, who was also seen meeting with White.
Nrl Great Nathan Cleary was seen arriving on Sunday for UFC 312 and headed a series of Australian sports stars that attended
Cleary watched from the side of the cage and talked to 7News about why the sport loved
Thanasi Kokkinakis, who had suffered an early exit at the Australian Open last month, was also seen watching the crowd, while the great Crickt Steve Waugh also enjoyed the night.
A couple of Swans stars, Tom Paley and Justin Mcinerney, also took a break from the preseason training to go to the Olympic Park at night.
Cleary, meanwhile, hopes to return to NRL's action next month, after he underwent shoulder surgery in the low season.
The four -time Premier League winner had been seen on Saturday when he saw his teammates face against the Raiders of the Canberra in the first round of the Witzer preseason challenge and stopped for a quick interview with 7News before UFC 312.
“Yes, pumped, I came the last time I was also in Sydney, so I'm happy to be here again and enjoy it,” said Footy star to the outlet when he arrived at the place.
Cleary admitted that he likes to tune in to see the fighting championship regularly.
'Quite regularly. I have been in that for a while and I love elite sport and see them do their own and when they enter that octagon, it's nothing about another sport.
“What they do is quite surprising.”
The Thanasi Kokkinakis tennis star was photographed inside the sand, one month after her output from the Australian Open
Swans Justin Mcinerney and Tom Paley's duo took a preseason training break for the event
Cricket Steve Waugh Legend was also at home and cut a thoughtful figure while watching the fight card
His comments before the fight may not have been more true, after Strickland seemed to replace his broken nose during his fight against du plessis in the middle of the fight.
Blood was seen spilling his face and the South African grouped praise to his opponent to continue the fight.
'I was definitely shaken, I could see him backing down. My coaches, could hear them say: “Come, relax.” Honestly, I thought I was going to go, but it only shows you the fighter's caliber and his heart caliber that deserves all the exaggeration and what a hard and hard person.
“I have all the respect in the world for him.”
Du Plessis also revealed that he challenged Alex Pereira in the Octagon after the fight.
'Since he is standing in the octagon … Is there no one else? Is there no one else? The South African had said.
He later revealed at his press conference that the couple had met behind the stage.
“Yes, he approached me and asked me:” Did you challenged me? “Du plassis said.
Israel Adesanya was applauded by Dana White while taking her seat next to the octagon at night
Dricus du Plessis headed the event and claimed a great unanimous decision victory against Sean Strickland
Du Plessis brutally broke Strickland's nose during the fight, sending blood sprouting by his face
He would retain his medium weight belts and celebrated with his partner Vasti Spiller inside the octagon
“I thought:” I did the whole show, I did the whole scene of the movie and everything, “and you say:” Can you challenge me? “That is anti -limit, but of course.
'I have the respect of the world for Alex Pereira. I think he is the best libra fighter for the world.
'I respect him more for what he has done in a short period of time at the UFC to come from another sport …
'I want to share the octagon with that man. I have defeated (Israel) Adesanya, who has hit him. I know I can overcome it already 205 (pounds), 100 percent.