Watch: Strickland, Du Plessis come to blows cageside at UFC 296

Warning: Video contains coarse language

UFC middleweight champion Sean Strickland came to blows with upcoming challenger Dricus Du Plessis while both were cageside at UFC 296 on Saturday night in Las Vegas.

Security broke up Strickland and Du Plessis, and Strickland decided to leave the arena after the scuffle, UFC CEO Dana White confirmed.

The middleweights talked a lot of trash at a press conference Friday, which included Du Plessis bringing up Strickland's family issues during his youth.

White took responsibility for the fighters sitting close to each other at Saturday's event.

Du Plessis spoke to ESPN reporter Megan Olivi on the UFC 296 pay-per-view broadcast about the incident.

"It's probably not a good example, but here we are," Du Plessis said. "Things happen. Nobody got hurt. All is good."

When asked if this adds more fuel to the fire ahead of UFC 297, Du Plessis said "not at all," and that Strickland "needs to get calm in his head."

"He needs to gain his composure," Du Plessis said. "I know I'm not the champ yet, so I shouldn't really be giving the champ advice. But that would be my advice."

The middleweights continued their feud on social media:

Strickland and Du Plessis headline UFC 297 on Jan. 20 in Toronto.