Some of the most relentless and outspoken fighters in the UFC middleweight division would easily tell you that Sean Strickland has quickly become a huge name in the world of MMA. Because of his violent nature and abrasive characteristics away from the cage, Strickland has quickly become a divisive fighter loved by fans who like their action fierce, pruriently violent, and loaded with f-bombs or loathed by purists whose eyes seem able to roll right out of their heads. This article takes a deep look at Sean Strickland MMA career, fighting style, recent fights, and future for the UFC.
Early Career and UFC Debut
Sean Strickland made his professional debut in 2008 at just 17-years-old. Strickland went on to become a top prospect, known for his pinpoint accuracy and iron chin, gathering high-level knockouts in regional promotions. Strickland made his UFC debut in 2014 at welterweight but eventually settled into middleweight where he found the most success of his career.
From the start of his time in the cage, Sean Strickland’s MMA career combined his considerable technical acumen with a shark-like tendency to never relent when applying pressure. But he continues to come forward, landing accurate punches en masse and keeping a high pace in both divisions, making him a dangerous title contender at 145 pounds and 155 pounds.
Biggest Career Win: Israel Adesanya
Two years later in September 2023 at UFC 293, some of Sean Strickland’s glory days as an MMA athlete finally arrived when he faced off against arguably the most overbearing middleweight championship performant in UFC history, Israel Adesanya. Strickland unexpectedly halted Adesanya’s winning streak with a unanimous decision victory. This surprising upset became one of the rare instances where a middleweight champion was taken down. Many fans and analysts, including myself, widely considered Adesanya unbeatable in the division. Blachowicz’s victory shocked and earned praise from numerous people.
That was classic Sean Strickland fashion in its back-to-basics approach: relentless forward pressure, sharp jabs, and clean counterpunching. He was able to smother Adesanya’s stand-up style and had the former champ moving backward for much of the fight. Sean Strickland is now one of the best MMA fighters in the world with another victory to his name.
Losing the Title to Dricus Du Plessis
Fast forward a few months to January 2024, and Sean Strickland was set to fight an up and coming Dricus Du Plessis at UFC 297. It was a very close fight, with both men getting their licks in. However, in the end, Strickland would fall short as Du Plessis picked up the split decision victory and became champion.
And while the fight might be in the eyes of many fans and analysts, Strickland was anything but silent about his feelings after he heard “and now 29-28” — which meant he had done enough to win. Still, the defeat hardly dinged his standing as one of the toughest competitors in the division. Having the confidence of getting there again and again means for a while this year, he will keep being one of those constant threats to hoist the title.
Sean Strickland’s Fighting Style
On the other hand, Sean Stickland MMA style is his non-stop pressure fighting, accurate striking, and unpredictable cardio. Standing at 6’1″ with a 76-inch reach, Strickland uses his size to keep his opponents at range and applies constant pressure. A master of the sweet science, you will see Adams use his jab to throw off his opponent’s rhythm and take control.
When looking at Strickland he has durability as one of the most prominent aspects of his game. He repeatedly endures punches and fights for five rounds, demonstrating his resilience. His ability to wear down opponents is well-documented. That durability and work rate have made him a tough out for many of the best fighters in the division.
While he is a striker by nature, Strickland is also adept on the mat. While he likes to trade on the feet, he has demonstrated good takedown defense and submission defense meaning it is essentially in his control where this fight takes place.
Controversial Persona and Fan Reactions
In addition to his work inside the cage, Sean Strickland has become a polarizing figure due to some of the things he regularly says. Notorious for his uncensored comments in interviews & on social media, Strickland often finds himself the topic of debate both amongst fans & other fighters.
While some viewers appreciate his raw, “no-nonsense” style, others argue that it only divides fans. The bottom line is Sean Strickland has GOT some sort of hype around him that had died down until this point and good or bad, his MMA career should be thanking the attention for making him one of the most buzz worthy fighters in the UFC.
Sean Strickland’s Girlfriend and Family
While Sean Strickland is well-known for his candid and often controversial comments in the media, he keeps his personal life, including details about Sean Strickland girlfriend and family, relatively private. He hasn’t revealed much about his family or romantic relationships publicly, focusing most of his attention on his MMA career and training. Strickland has mentioned his upbringing and certain life challenges during interviews but tends to separate his personal life from his professional persona in the UFC.
Where does Sean Strickland go from here?
Shockingly, one of the top five middleweights in the world is still Sean Strickland despite dropping to Du Plessis. Dana White, Head of UFC picked Strickland to receive the next title shot and with the ongoing takeover by Du Plessis, it’s most likely that he will face Adesanya soon.
Strickland, eager to reclaim his belt, is thrilled at the prospect of returning to title contention. Known for his fearlessness, he’s ready to face anyone, from Du Plessis to Adesanya. Expect his usual aggressive style and relentless pressure.
Conclusion
This chapter in Sean Strickland MMA journey is written but far from over. Throughout his well-documented career of both high profile wins and controversies, along with a sense reputation as a tireless brawler, Strickland has unquestionably situated himself as one of the UFC middleweight hounds to be mindful of. Fans and analysts around the globe will have their eyes on Formiga as he marches on towards another crack at gold, but what does the future hold for one of the flyweight division’s most dynamic and unpredictable fighters?
It may not be technically inside the cage and it may be a little louder than he once expected, but Sean Strickland has made his mark on MMA. And things evolve and Strickland will have been the fulcrum upon which so much of the debate around middleweights hinges for years to come.
