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Tag: Sean Strickland

  • Sean Strickland Blasts ‘Pathetic’ Colby Covington Over Recent Comments

    It’s safe to say that Sean Strickland is not a fan of Colby Covington.

    After Covington defeated Jorge Masvidal at UFC 272, he was asked in an interview about his thoughts on Strickland, and ‘Chaos’ was dismissive saying he didn’t know who he was and wondered if Strickland was a girl.

    After catching wind of the comments, Strickland took to his Instagram to blast Covington for his comments. (h/t MMAMania)

    https://www.instagram.com/p/CbYNoO8P3f2/

    “I thought [Donald] Trump’s c—k would of been too deep in your mouth for you to speak …” Strickland’s caption to an Instagram video read. “Just because someone can fight doesn’t mean their not a coward.. @colbycovmma Look what happened when you got called out for being a troll you ran away and pulled out your phone. You’re a f-cking Karen.

    “Covington, you like to run your f—king mouth,” Strickland continued. “You didn’t run your mouth when I seen you now you run your mouth now on the internet. Bro, we all see what [Fabricio] Werdum did to you. Werdum walked up to you, f—king punked you, you ran away and you pulled out your phone and recorded him like a f—king Karen, bro. You’re a f—king embarrassment. Yeah, I’ll be honest with you, you’re a good fighter but like, as far as a man, you’re f—king pathetic.”

    Of course, the Werdum incident he is talking about was when he allegedly threw a boomerang at Covington in Australia and it caused quite a scene. It also shouldn’t be a surprise to see Sean Strickland take a shot at Covington, as he is also vocal about a lot of things.

    Although Strickland is taking a shot at Covington, it seems unlikely they will ever fight. Strickland is at middleweight and seems comfortable there while Covington is a welterweight. However, he has talked about wanting to face Israel Adesanya, so maybe he’ll consider moving up to face Strickland first prior to ideally challenging Adesanya.

    Would you like to see Sean Strickland fight Colby Covington?

  • Belal Muhammad Blasts Sean Strickland: “It’s All Talk, It’s All An Act”

    UFC welterweight contender Belal Muhammad isn’t a fan of Sean Strickland’s characteristics and persona in and out of the Octagon.

    Muhammad is set to face Vicente Luque in a rematch at an April 16 UFC Fight Night event. The winner will be one step closer to a chance to dethrone welterweight champion Kamaru Usman.

    Muhammad and Strickland have had a bit of history, stemming from when both of them were in the 170-pound division. Strickland began his UFC tenure as a welterweight before eventually moving up to middleweight, where he now stands potentially one fight away from a title shot.

    UFC betting: Sean Strickland faces Jack Hermansson
    Sean Strickland

    Muhammad started the banter by calling Strickland a “piece of trash” after offering to step in to fight Strickland at UFC 268. Strickland was supposed to face Luke Rockhold, who would pull out with an injury.

    After getting word of Muhammad’s comments, Strickland went off on Muhammad and hinted at living out a desert fantasy with Muhammad in Las Vegas. Strickland went on to fight and defeat Jack Hermansson last month to rise in the middleweight title picture.

    During a recent interview with The Schmo, Muhammad gave his honest opinions about Strickland and why he has a strong disdain for him.

    “That guy is a joke,” Muhammad said. “Like what I told you, we had a chance to fight each other, his opponent pulls out, I called him out. He said ‘No, it wasn’t worth it’ but this guy is the killer, the murderer that wants to kill everybody, that’ll fight anybody. But as we see in his last fight, it’s all talk. It’s all an act.

    “Sean Strickland, stop acting. Just come out with it, it’s cool. You watch Saturday night cartoons we know that you’re fake. You’re not this crazy psycho guy, you’re just a normal guy that’s trying to be crazy. Just be yourself.”

    Muhammad and Strickland could be on the verge of UFC title shots with wins in their next appearances. While it appears that the matchup may not happen at 170 pounds, that is not preventing Muhammad from weighing in on Strickland and his peculiar ways.

    What are your thoughts on Belal Muhammad’s perception of Sean Strickland?

  • Costa Challenges “Rat” Sean Strickland, Strickland Says UFC Declined

    UFC middleweight Sean Strickland claims the UFC has rejected a fight between him and Paulo Costa.

    A fight between Strickland and Costa has some logic on paper. They are currently deadlocked at the #4 spot in the UFC rankings, and neither man is expected to receive a title shot at Israel Adesanya next, due to Jared Cannonier being most likely to fill that role.

    Additionally, Robert Whittaker (#1) and Marvin Vettori (#3) are unavailable after being targeted to fight one another. So with Strickland and Costa both available, what’s stopping the two of them from being paired together?

    According to Sean Strickland, the UFC itself is stopping it.

    This claim comes after Costa called out Strickland in a re-tweet of an article from last November where Strickland requested the same fight.

    “Let’s do it rat. Veremos se é valentão mesmo,” Costa wrote.

    “I asked for Costa and the UFC didn’t seem so confident in his future.. Also i dont think they liked me punching down to get a title shot lol.. but worst case for you Costa there is always bellator.. Maybe 205? Idk…” Strickland responded.

    “@BorrachinhaMMA heres the thing man. The UFC said no. I asked multiple times….. But after your forced to move to light heavyweight I’ll catch you in Vegas and if you wanna run your mouth I’ll give it to you for free…” he wrote in a follow-up tweet directed at Costa himself.

    Although Paulo Costa insists that he will remain in the middleweight division, as Strickland alludes to, this is still unconfirmed after Dana White publicly stated the Brazilian will need to move up to light heavyweight following the weight-related debacle ahead of his fight against Marvin Vettori last October.

    Additionally, even though both fighters are tied at #4, Strickland’s “punching down” comment is likely in reference to the American being on a six-fight winning streak while Costa has lost two straight.

    In any event, Costa clearly isn’t buying what Strickland is pushing out based on the following response to Strickland’s revelation.

    “I knew you were a fuc*king pus*y but this show of insecurity surprised even me. just another fake macho,” Costa responded.

    When Strickland and Costa have their next fight booked, against one another or otherwise, or if the two simply decide to ramp up this new Twitter beef instead, MMA News will be here to keep you covered with all the latest.

    Do you think Sean Strickland vs. Paulo Costa is the fight to make right now?

  • Watch: Sean Strickland Gets In Road Rage Run-In With Female Driver

    UFC middleweight contender Sean Strickland has been known to have a short temper, as recently demonstrated by a road rage incident.

    Strickland has divided some UFC fans for his brash, and often controversial, persona in and out of the cage. He also isn’t afraid to detail his real-life interactions with people that become heated fast and in a hurry.

    It all started when a female driver allegedly almost hit Strickland while on a ride on his motorcycle. While the alleged near-accident wasn’t captured on video, the heated aftermath between Strickland and the unidentified driver was shared on his social media.

    Strickland shared a brief explanation of what happened and what led to the altercation on the side of the road.

    “Almost hits me and they flags us down to get our license plate,” Strickland said. “God I fucking hate old rich white women!!!!!”

    This isn’t the first time that Strickland has captured video of a nearly violent road rage incident. Last November, he challenged a driver to a fight during a heated verbal altercation and asked if the driver had any guns or knives.

    Strickland was also injured in a motorcycle accident back in 2018 but luckily walked away from a brief hospital stay with no lasting damage to his body.

    Strickland has surged into the UFC middleweight title picture with six straight wins, including most recently against Jack Hermansson. He could be one win away from a potential title shot against Israel Adesanya, who he has accused of using steroids.

    Whether or not people like Strickland as a person and as a fighter, he doesn’t care how he is portrayed in the public and is unafraid to be himself.

    What are your opinions on Sean Strickland’s antics?

  • Sean Strickland Rips Into “PC Beta Male” Khalil Rountree

    UFC middleweight Sean Strickland isn’t a fan of Khalil Rountree showing his sensitive side following a win at UFC Vegas 50.

    Following his win over Karl Roberson at UFC Vegas 50, Rountree used his post-fight Octagon interview and press conference to attempt to inspire those who come from hard times. Rountree has talked about his journey before MMA on numerous occasions, reflecting on when he was overweight and not confident and turning into an exciting MMA fighter.

    Rountree’s post-fight comments went viral on social media, with many praising him for his openness and honesty on mental health issues. However, Strickland appears to be far from a fan of Rountree’s transparency.

    After watching a viral clip from Rountree’s UFC Vegas 50 post-fight presser, Strickland attacked Rountree for showing emotion after discussing his life journey.

    “Gayest shit I’ve ever seen and I love bi women so ive seen a lot of gay,” Strickland said of Rountree. “Yeah you’re really special, a special little snow flake… This man is the definition of a PC BETA male. You all would hate him….. seriously being in the same room as him makes me cringe.”

    Strickland has been in hot water in recent months for his comments on homosexuals, saying that if he were to have a gay son, he would’ve felt he failed as a man. He later backtracked on those comments saying months later “I love gay men”.

    An apology from Strickland has proven to be a rarity, as evidenced by him rarely backtracking on his past controversial remarks. Fans shouldn’t expect Strickland to backtrack on this attack on Rountree.

    The rising middleweight contender Strickland isn’t afraid to speak his mind, but he has arguably crossed the line with some of his recent social media rants.

    What is your reaction to Sean Strickland’s rant about Khalil Rountree?

  • Sean Strickland, Jan Blachowicz Spar Over Russia-Ukraine Crisis

    UFC stars Sean Strickland and Jan Blachowicz recently went at it on social media regarding their stances on the Russian invasion of Ukraine.

    Strickland is coming off of arguably the biggest win of his UFC career against Jack Hermansson earlier this year. He’s won six straight fights and appears to be on the verge of a potential middleweight title shot.

    Blachowicz is coming off his title loss to Glover Teixeira at UFC 267. He’s expected to face Aleksandar Rakic later this year.

    The debate between the two fighters started when Strickland questioned Ukraine fighting back against Russia and encouraged the country to surrender.

    “Ukraine should just bend the knee and become Russian,” Strickland said. “I understand it sucks and yes you could win….. but do you really want to be the new Afghanistan for the next 30 years??? Not saying it’s right but this hard pill to swallow will be better in the end.”

    Strickland’s thoughts on the crisis created quite the stir on social media. This prompted a response from Blachowicz, a Polish UFC star, and former light heavyweight champion.

    “Would you? It is easy to give away someone else’s independence,” Blachowicz said. “The history of the Eastern European region is full of struggle and suffering. Ukraine – as a country and as a people – has endured much. Their resistance is understandable and admirable. Freedom!”

    Strickland replied to Blachowicz’s tweet by doubling down on his original post regarding the conflict.

    “35 days for Germany to take control of Poland,” Strickland replied. “The only reason why there is a poland is ww2. Poland isn’t Ukraine. Their children’s children will be living in the rubble of Ukraine struggle under a Russian flag in 5 years. That is the cost. Russian sanctions are Ukraine sanctions.

    “That is the last thing I’ll say on this subject. Mark my words, what I say will come true, tell people to struggle, tell people to fight. There children’s children’s will live in poverty and destruction under a Russian flag. This is the reality.. Hard truths I know.”

    Strickland and Blachowicz aren’t the only notable UFC fighters to make their voices heard on the Ukraine-Russia crisis. UFC featherweight Bryce Mitchell made headlines in the leadup to UFC 272 when he gave his thoughts on the conflict and stated that he wouldn’t fight overseas if the U.S. government mandated it.

    Additionally, Ukrainian fighter Maryna Moroz has shared how she has been personally impacted by the war, even losing some friends.

    Strickland is never afraid to speak his mind on various topics, even when he’s questioned by one of the biggest names in the sport. The Russia-Ukraine crisis continues to be a hot-button issue among professional athletes.

    Do you agree with Jan Blachowicz or Sean Strickland?

  • Strickland Issues Surprising Apology After Making Fun Of Obese Women

    UFC middleweight contender Sean Strickland shocked some in the MMA community when he apologized after joking about overweight women.

    Strickland has been known for his out-of-the-Octagon endeavors arguably more than some of his successes inside of it. He is coming off an impressive main event victory over Jack Hermansson in his last fight.

    Strickland has been known to cross the line on separate occasions in the opinions of some fans, especially when it comes to giving his thoughts on topics like homosexuality and, in this case, overweight women.

    It’s unclear what Strickland originally said about overweight women, but he issued an apology on his social media.

    “I shouldn’t have made fun of the over weight woman.. not cool,” Strickland said. “Moment of weakness sponsor ads just piss me off.. heart disease is real and fucked up. We shouldn’t joke about it, I have fat family members. I’m sorry, I’ll be better from now on.”

    Strickland has been known to communicate without much of a filter in media interviews and on his various social media platforms. He has previously said that if he had a gay son, he would’ve felt he failed as a man.

    Strickland has also said that he would take pleasure in murdering someone inside of an Octagon. This was met with critics around the UFC, including Belal Muhammad.

    Strickland has also accused UFC Middleweight Champion Israel Adesanya of using steroids. He could be nearing a title shot against Adesanya after his recent wins inside the cage.

    Strickland has never been afraid to speak his mind, which isn’t surprising to most UFC fans. But the fact that he’s still able to admit when he feels he did something wrong could be seen as a surprise to many.

    What is your reaction to Sean Strickland apologizing?

  • Strickland Wants To “Sodomize” Self-Defense Guru Dale Brown In Brawl

    UFC middleweight contender Sean Strickland isn’t a fan of the internet sensation and self-defense guru Dale Brown.

    Strickland is fresh off his win over Jack Hermansson at UFC Vegas 47. He appears to be just one step away from a middleweight title shot following the victory and could get a No. 1 contender fight next.

    But the added success inside the cage hasn’t tampered Strickland’s ferocity outside of it.

    Brown has accumulated a large following on social media due to his unique self-defense instructional videos. He’ll also reportedly be in Joaquin Buckley’s corner during his fight against Abdul Razak Alhassan at UFC Vegas 48.

    During a recent Instagram post, Strickland called out Brown for a fight should they run into each other while Brown is in Las Vegas.

    “This Detroit tactical guy, he’s in fucking Vegas,” Strickland said. “I don’t really have anything against him besides he’s a fucking fraud, He’s probably a big, old fucking pussy.

    “But that being said, I want to be proved wrong. I want to think you’re a fucking ninja. I want you to disarm me and kick my ass. So I will make you an offer. Cause I think you’re a fucking fraud. Monday, come to the gym. We could fucking spar. We could use plastic knives. We could use real fucking knives. I guarantee I will fucking sodomize you with whatever you pick.

    “You should man the fuck up and show everybody you’re such a fucking bad-ass, but you’re probably going to be a pussy and ignore this. So continue to be a fraud, get people killed.” (h/t MiddleEasy)

    https://www.instagram.com/p/CaGxn2olNF8/?utm_source=ig_web_copy_link

    UFC fighters such as Kevin Holland and Derek Brunson have criticized Strickland for how he handles himself in and out of the Octagon. Strickland also published a nearly violent road rage incident on social media just months ago and also said that he would take pleasure in killing someone in the cage.

    Brown has yet to respond to Strickland’s video, and it’s unknown if he’ll take him up on the offer to fight while he’s in Las Vegas.

    Who do you want to see Sean Strickland fight next?

  • Luke Rockhold Suggests Drug Usage To Blame For Strickland’s Remarks

    It’s safe to say that former UFC middleweight champion Luke Rockhold isn’t a fan of Sean Strickland’s antics.

    Rockhold is working towards a return to the UFC in 2022, nearly three years after his last fight against Jan Blachowicz at UFC 239. He has alluded to a move back to middleweight after falling flat in his light heavyweight debut.

    Rockhold was supposed to face Strickland at UFC 268 to wrap up 2021, but Rockhold pulled out with an injury. Strickland was removed from the card and instead fought and defeated Jack Hermansson at UFC Vegas 47.

    Tensions flared when Strickland threatened Rockhold on his social media pages, going as far as to promise a fight with Rockhold if the two ever met in a parking lot.

    During a recent interview with Submission Radio, Rockhold made his opinion of Strickland as clear as can be.

    “I don’t have a lot of respect for the man, what that man says; I don’t think anybody does,” Rockhold said. “I don’t think he really knows what he’s talking about. When you’ve done that many drugs, I don’t know if things really come out clearly. I don’t know if there’s much of a thorough process to what he does. I think why he’s so effective is he doesn’t think, he doesn’t know. He just fights with stupidity. It actually benefits him to a certain extent.”

    Rockhold has previously said that Strickland is “stupid but effective” when it comes to his brash approach to fighting. Rockhold has fought and defeated some of the best ever in the middleweight division, including Chris Weidman and Lyoto Machida.

    Following his win over Hermansson, Strickland appears to be knocking on the door for a potential middleweight title shot. He could earn a No. 1 contender fight next or a possible showdown with his adversary Rockhold.

    What are your thoughts on Sean Strickland?

  • Kevin Holland On Sean Strickland: “I Think I Got The Bigger C**k”

    Kevin Holland has fired back after middleweight contender Sean Strickland detailed an altercation they had at the UFC Performance Institute earlier this month.

    If there’s one man who doesn’t struggle to ruffle feathers and form feuds outside the Octagon, it’s Strickland. If there’s a second, it’s Holland. With that in mind and with both men’s vocal presence on social media, an exchange and rivalry were always likely.

    In an interview ahead of Strickland’s latest outing, a five-round victory over Jack Hermansson at UFC Vegas 47, “Trailblazer” made his negative feelings about “Tarzan” common knowledge. That led to an interaction at the PI during fight week.

    According to the #6-ranked middleweight, Holland confronted him with a “popped out” chest and was looking for a fight but shied away after Strickland invited him to the parking lot for a “man dance.”

    While speaking to the media at UFC 271 this past weekend, Holland gave his side of the story. Explaining his reluctance to scrap Strickland in the parking lot, “Big Mouth” suggested they could have made the most of the PI’s facilities for an animosity-fueled sparring session.

    “I seen him at the PI, and he had said some stuff online about murdering me or something like that if we ever have a fight,” recounted Holland. “So, when I see him, I was just checking his energy. He said I had my chest poked out, but as you guys see me on camera all the time, I have a bird chest. It’s kind of hard to poke this thing out. So, (I) walked up to the man, and I wasn’t trying to say nothing to him. He was speaking to me like we were friends or something. I was just looking at him like he was fucking crazy.

    “He said something stupid, so I probably said something stupid back,” added Holland. “Little words got exchanged. He said something about going to the parking lot. But if I’m not mistaken, there’s a full-blown Octagon and a boxing ring upstairs, and we could easily make it a sparring session. That way the UFC doesn’t lose money by somebody getting their head bashed in in the parking lot.”

    While Holland no doubt thinks he can match Strickland’s in-fight trash talk and go toe-to-toe with him on the mic, there’s one area he says he boasts a size advantage…

    “I think I got the bigger cock.”

    Holland Ready To Offer Strickland A Rebound Opportunity

    While their back and forth and in-person exchange would have set the stage nicely for a grudge match inside the cage, the pair are currently at very different points on the UFC ladder.

    On a six-fight win streak and coming off his second consecutive main event triumph, Strickland has risen into title contention and is perhaps just one victory away from a date with champion Israel Adesanya.

    Holland, meanwhile, is winless in his last three and set to move down to welterweight to face “Cowboy” Alex Oliveira at UFC 272 next month.

    But despite their opposite paths in the promotion right now, Holland is harboring hope of a clash down the line. He even offered to be waiting with a rebound opportunity for Strickland if the Anaheim native earns a title shot and is beaten by “The Last Stylebender.”

    “Yeah, I would love to do that fight,” Holland further told the media. “Sean’s on a really good winning streak right now, and Sean’s making really good waves in the middleweight division. I’m no dummy, we all know Sean’s probably close to a title shot. There’s not very many people for Izzy to fight at 185. Once Izzy knocks him the fuck out and he needs a rebound fight, here I am baby. Another tall, lanky guy ready to take that ass.”

    If Holland can resurrect his career at 170 pounds and return to middleweight in the future, it certainly wouldn’t be surprising to see him throw down with Strickland.

    Would you like to see Kevin Holland and Sean Strickland settle their differences inside the Octagon down the line?

  • Sonnen: Strickland Is Misinterpreting Laughter For Support

    Former two-division UFC title challenger Chael Sonnen believes middleweight contender Sean Strickland is misinterpreting the reaction to his outgoing personality.

    Since returning to the Octagon from a two-year absence in 2020, Strickland has quickly risen up the 185-pound ladder, developing both his status as a contender and prominence across the fanbase in the process. But while his fighting has certainly done some talking, his mouth has done a significant amount more.

    Before and after his latest victory, a five-round decision triumph over Jack Hermansson at UFC Vegas 47, “Tarzan” put his controversial nature on full display. In the past, Strickland has drawn flak for his remarks about homosexuality and apparent desire to kill a fellow fighter.

    While some praise the #6-ranked middleweight for his lack of censorship and willingness to speak his mind, others believe he routinely crosses the line.

    Sonnen Thinks Strickland Is Going In The Wrong Direction

    Perhaps surprisingly, one man who has warned Strickland about the path he’s going down is Sonnen. Not many fighters have played up to a ‘heel’ character quite like the former middleweight and light heavyweight contender.

    But while he acknowledges the need to accentuate a character in order to rise the ranks, the 44-year-old has suggested it’s time for Strickland to tone it down now that he’s reached title contention.

    During a recent video uploaded to his YouTube channel, Sonnen warned Strickland that he’s misinterpreting the laughter from fans and pundits as support. Instead, the Oregon native believes many are uncomfortable with the 30-year-old’s antics and are usually laughing at him, not with him.

    “Sean is a character, man. He’s doing a gimmick, he’s a character, he’s an entertainer. It makes me nervous,” said Sonnen. “I think he’s going in the wrong direction. I think there was a time for that, to get some focus, to get some attention, to get the better fights, to work your way up the card. Once you get there, you can now go down main street.

    “There’s always room for a straight man, for sure. You start playing that game, and I made a living playing that game, it’s a risky one,” added Sonnen. “I think Sean makes some people uncomfortable. I know everyone’s laughing and everyone’s cheering him on, but I don’t think they’re really supporting him. I think they’re laughing at him. I think they’re in shock at what he’s doing. I think he’s misinterpreting it.”

    Interestingly, Strickland has followed a different route. Rather than playing up to a character in order to rise the MMA ladder, Strickland recently suggested he suppressed his personality early in his career in order to ensure he was signed by the UFC. Now that he’s at the top, he feels the freedom to say what he wants.

    Sonnen is not the first to speak out against Strickland’s mindset and controversial statements. Last week, top-five contender Derek Brunson criticized “Tarzan” for his remarks, suggesting he hopes his UFC peer can change his ways soon.

    Given Strickland’s recent posts on social media, and promise to go “full McGregor” if he becomes champion, an adjustment or alteration seems unlikely.

    Do you agree with Chael Sonnen? Should Sean Strickland adjust his attitude?

  • Adesanya Says Strickland Fight Would “Make A Lot Of Money”

    Israel Adesanya admits that a fight against Sean Strickland interests him.

    Israel Adesanya is the UFC middleweight champion. Being the champion comes with having a target on your back. Although he is already matched up with Robert Whittaker for this weekend’s UFC 271, there are already people calling for the next shot. One of those people calling for their shot is Sean Strickland.

    Sean Strickland
    Sean Strickland (Image Credit: Chris Unger/Zuffa LLC)

    Strickland is coming off a split decision victory over Jack Hermansson just last week, and he’s been turning heads both inside the cage and out.

    Strickland has been vocal about wanting a shot at Adesanya in his next time out and could have the résumé to prove it. Strickland has won six fights in a row and has risen to the #6 spot in the rankings.

    In addition to his skills and win streak, Strickland has become more well-known around the MMA-sphere. Strickland has been making wild claims about his desire to cause harm to people and has been seen in sparring videos doing so.

    Strickland’s odd behavior has made him the target of headlines and the saying “all news is good news” might fit him perfectly. Because all the attention has gotten him on Adesanya’s radar.

    When asked about a possible matchup with Strickland, Adesanya had this to say:

    “I like fresh meat. I like fresh blood,” Adesanya said during a UFC 271 media day scrum. “And we’ll see. We’ll see after this weekend. I gotta see what Bumson and Cannonier do this weekend, and we’ll see.

    “That’s gonna make a lot of money if me and him actually get to fight. Trust. [LAUGHS] I’m a bit of a troll, but I keep it under wraps. But yeah, if that happens, it happens. But we’ll see after this weekend.”

    Although interest from both parties might be there, it seems unlikely that Strickland will be next in line. Adesanya was right when he mentioned Derek Brunson and Jared Cannonier. Both men could be the logical next choice with a win at UFC 271.

    As for Strickland and Adesanya, they might get the chance to meet in the future—or if Adesanya loses on Saturday night.

    Would you like to see Sean Strickland step up to fight Israel Adesanya?

  • Derek Brunson: Sean Strickland Is A Cringe “Weirdo”

    UFC middleweight Derek Brunson has given his firm take on the antics and remarks of his fellow contender Sean Strickland.

    While talk about Strickland has been on the rise in general, it’s picked up in recent weeks owing to his first Octagon outing of 2022. After returning to action and to 185 pounds in 2020, the 30-year-old recorded wins against Jack Marshman, Brendan Allen, Krzysztof Jotko, and Uriah Hall.

    In his second consecutive main event last weekend, “Tarzan” faced his toughest middleweight test to date in the form of Jack Hermansson. While he perhaps didn’t entertain and thrill as much as many had expected on fight night, Strickland successfully extended his undefeated record in the weight class and moved closer to a potential title shot.

    https://www.instagram.com/p/CZnu543Nifj/

    While his ability inside the Octagon is hard to question, Strickland’s antics and remarks outside of it haven’t followed suit. From controversial comments on homosexuality to his statements on an apparent desire to “kill” inside and outside the cage, “Tarzan” has certainly split opinions with his outspoken personality.

    One man who firmly falls on the side of those criticizing the #7-ranked middleweight contender rather than being entertained by him is Brunson.

    Brunson Hopes “Tasteless” Strickland Changes His Ways

    During his appearance at UFC 271 media day ahead of his crucial clash with Jared Cannonier this weekend, the 38-year-old gave his thoughts on the man two positions below him on the 185-pound ladder.

    “Sean Strickland is a weirdo. I mean, slightly funny. I guess funny in this era,” said Brunson. “But, that’s definitely kind of cringe. Super weird. I heard some of the stuff he said. I don’t know if he’s trying to get a lot of attention or whatever, but I don’t think it’s cool to just be a jerk or an asshole, saying like, ‘Oh, I’ll kill people and I wouldn’t care.’

    “It’s like, if you say, ‘Hey, if somebody harms my family, I’d kill somebody and I wouldn’t care,’ that’s a bit different than saying, ‘I’d just kill a random person and wouldn’t care.’ That’s some tasteless stuff and I don’t really think there’s a place for it,” Brunson continued. “It’s kind of annoying. I hope he changes his ways, for sure.”

    Speaking of killing and dying, here’s Strickland’s latest interesting post…

    “WHEN PEOPLE ASK ME “WHY ARE YOU THIS WAY” There is no god, we’re all animals, life is random, there is no meaning, morality doesn’t exist.. go fuck hookers and do cocaine. If we die now or later it makes no difference……”

    Given the fact this tweet came hours after Brunson’s appearance at UFC 271 media day and his previous comments on how he’ll be if he becomes champion, it seems unlikely Strickland will be following his UFC peer’s advice and changing his ways.

    Do you agree with Derek Brunson? Does Sean Strickland need to tone down his statements?

  • Sean Strickland Names The One MW Fighter He’d Rather Not Fight

    UFC middleweight contender Sean Strickland is as game as anyone when it comes to fighting, but not when it comes to fighting his friends.

    Strickland passed arguably the biggest test of his fighting career at UFC Vegas 47, outpacing Jack Hermansson en route to a unanimous decision win. His boxing led the dance once again as he overwhelmed Hermansson with his jab and combinations.

    Strickland appears to be just one fight away from a potential title shot at 185 pounds, shortly after making the move from welterweight to middleweight full-time. Israel Adesanya will face Robert Whittaker in a title rematch at UFC 271 and the next title shot is arguably still up in the air.

    Strickland is in a peculiar position in the middleweight division, but there’s one fighter who he’d rather not risk friendship in favor of competition.

    “Yeah, Marvin Vettori, he’s a good buddy of mine,” Strickland said during his UFC Vegas 47 post-fight presser. “I actually helped him train for Costa and Jack. So I mean, I was his main training partner. That’s a fight I wouldn’t want to fight.

    “They actually asked me when Costa drank too many wine and cookies, they offered me a lot of money to take his fight on a day notice. And I called Marvin and I was like, ‘Marvin, they’re offering me a lot of fuckin’ money. I have to say yes. Marvin being a good friend, he was like, ‘Dude, yes. I can’t blame you for saying yes.’ So that situation, I said yes, but if it’s just for what I’m making, I would rather bow my head. I’d let Marvin get another title shot before I fight him.”

    Marvin Vettori was slated to face Paulo Costa in a middleweight headliner at UFC Vegas 41. However, Costa entered fight week about 30 pounds overweight, and the bout was moved to a light heavyweight fight on short notice.

    Up until then, it was unclear if the UFC was planning to move forward with the bout. According to Strickland, the UFC involved him in their backup plans.

    Strickland has been criticized by some UFC fans and pundits regarding his pre and post-fight verbal banter. But even he has limits when it comes to his desired opponents.

    Who do you want to see Sean Strickland fight next?

  • Strickland Provides NSFW Explanation For Why He Won’t Date Karma RX

    Sean Strickland is not ready to date adult film star Karma RX until there have been some major life changes on both sides, especially for the latter.

    The MMA news cycle is among the most unpredictable sub-genres in all of sports media. If anyone has proven this to be true, it’s Sean Strickland, who has made headlines for a wide range of topics, including his desire to murder someone inside the Octagon, his desire to murder someone outside the Octagon, and even the athletic benefits of masturbation and pornography.

    That brings us to today’s story, featuring Sean Strickland and an adult film actress. As you can imagine from such a combination, the readers should brace themselves for the content ahead and reader discretion is advised.

    As demonstrated with some of the above-mentioned headlines, Strickland has been quite unpredictable and outspoken over the previous year. In doing so, not only has he garnered the attention of the entire MMA community, but he also caught the eyes and ears of adult film star Karma RX.

    Pin by David Ivan Meneses on Karma RX | Leather leggings fashion, Free leggings, Wet look leggings
    Adult Film Star Karma RX At the Adult Video News Awards

    Karma RX is an award-winning adult film actress who has appeared in over 150 films. At present, she has over 3 million followers on social media and a reported net worth of at least $5 million. However, life wasn’t always flashy and lavish for Karma RX.

    Before her rise to X-rated fame, she struggled with meth addiction. She has been very open about her road to recovery with her fans and has thus served as an inspiration for many.

    Strickland Nips Romance With Karma RX In The Bud

    During his UFC Vegas 43 Octagon interview last year, Strickland stated that if it were not for MMA, he’d probably be somewhere “cooking meth in a trailer.” While Strickland did not explicitly state that he has battled meth addiction, apparently, something about this MMA “Tarzan” made Karma RX identify with him on some level, and the two later began flirting on social media last month.

    Following his victory over Jack Hermansson at UFC Vegas 47 on Saturday, Strickland suggested that this flirtatious romance will be restricted to social media—for now.

    “No, one of these days, maybe when she retires and I retire, we’ll get it going,” Strickland told reporters at the UFC Vegas 47 post-fight press conference when asked about a potential relationship with Karma RX. “But I mean, how do you—girl fuckin’ sucks dick for a living, bro. What do you say? Like, she just got a bunch of dudes cummin’ in her and you’re like, ‘Hey, wanna go on a date, babe? Wanna go get a steak dinner? As she’s cleaning off her lip.”

    Despite his usual unfiltered and NSFW take on the latest subject at his disposal, Strickland did express some quasi-wholesome praise for the adult film star for her rags-to-riches story.

    “But I will say one thing. Let me compliment my girl fuckin’ Karma. I wanna give her a compliment,” Strickland continued. “That girl’s life was way fuckin’ harder than me. And yeah, she does suck a little dick, but at the end of the day, that fuckin’ bitch makes more money than me, you, and the man with the gay haircut. I mean, in all fairness, she should be a meth addict in a fuckin’ dumpster. So a lot of people hate on Karma, but at the end of the day, man, girl’s fuckin’ doing well for herself.”

    What say you? Would YOU date Karma RX while she is an active adult film star?

  • Strickland Allowed ‘Folks In Suits’ To Affect UFC Vegas 47 Performance

    Even though he got his hand raised at UFC 47 last night, Sean Strickland did not live up to his own standards of bloodshed and violence, and he’s putting a portion of the blame on some fancypants folks in suits.

    Sure, Sean Strickland was able to pick up his sixth consecutive victory, which at this level is always something to be proud of. However, Strickland didn’t feel much like celebrating after defeating Jack Hermansson in the UFC Vegas 47 main event.

    This is due to his game plan of taking Hermansson’s soul and leaving him bloody not coming to fruition. Instead, MMA’s verbal wildman played it safe and conservative in the cage, fighting like a “pussy” as he described it in his Octagon interview.

    Although Strickland did not shy away from taking the lion’s share of the blame for what he considered to be an underwhelming victory, he also thinks the pressure from outside sources played a role in his performance. Specifically, he cited anonymous folks in suits who got in his head.

    “I mean, none of you guys wear suits, so I can’t say this to you guys. You guys all look like common folk,” Strickland said when addressing reporters in the post-fight press conference. “But I get a lot of fancy fuckers who wear suits, and they come up to me and they start talking about title fights and things of that nature. You hear that all the time and you start thinking, ‘Do I really want to risk getting knocked out when I could go for a title fight?’ So I let the fancy folk in the suits throw me off a little bit, but it won’t happen again.”

    Strickland’s description of events sounds like something straight out of a Men in Black movie, with one of the suits flashing the neuralyzer in Strickland’s face, prompting him to forget his gory ways.

    In any event, a W is a W, and it can’t be denied that “Tarzan” is now one step closer to a title shot and an opportunity at a bloody redemption in front of an even wider audience.

    Do you believe Sean Strickland should be next in line for a welterweight title shot?

  • Fighters React To Sean Strickland Outlasting Jack Hermansson At UFC Vegas 47

    Jack Hermansson vs. Sean Strickland was a solid main event. 

    The two fighters met in a bout on Saturday night (February 5, 2022) at the UFC Vegas 47 event from Las Vegas, Nevada at the UFC Apex facility.

    The fight opened with Jack going for a takedown, but it was shut down and they clinched. For the rest of the first round, Jack was looking to counter strike while Strickland was landing his jabs and finding a home for him. Sean dropped him as the second round ended. 

    The third round saw Jack start to come alive as he was starting to land more shots. Hermansson started off the round with a takedown attempt, but couldn’t get him down. He had issues with his range and couldn’t get it down so he was missing on a lot of shots. Sean was bleeding from his nose at the end of the fourth round. The last round saw them continue to strike aside from Jack going for a takedown attempt, but not getting it. Strickland got the win by decision. 

    Peep the highlights of the fight courtesy of the UFC’s official Twitter account:

    Let’s see how the fighters reacted to the outcome of this fight: 

    Hermansson was coming off a decision loss to Marvin Vettori at UFC Vegas 16. Before that, he had scored a submission win over Kelvin Gastelum at the UFC on ESPN+ 30 event from Abu Dhabi’s Yas Island aka Fight Island. He had suffered a TKO loss to Jared Cannonier at the UFC Copenhagen event from the Royal Arena in Copenhagen, Denmark. He scored a decision win over Ronaldo “Jacare” Souza at UFC Fort Lauderdale This is where he stepped in on short notice to defeat the Brazilian. 

    Strickland entered this fight on a five-bout winning streak with wins over Nordine Taleb, Jack Marshman, Brendan Allen, Krzysztof Jotko, and most recently Uriah Hall by decision at UFC Vegas 33.

    UFC Vegas 47 Results & Highlights: Jack Hermansson vs. Sean Strickland

    MMA News is providing ongoing coverage of UFC Vegas 47. We’ve got you covered with live results, video highlights, and post-fight tidbits.

  • Strickland Vows To Go “Full Conor McGregor” If He Becomes Champion

    UFC middleweight Sean Strickland is excited for the Conor McGregor-esque freedom he’ll have if he becomes a champion in the promotion.

    While McGregor has undoubtedly grown into the biggest star the sport of MMA has ever seen, largely thanks to the Octagon success that saw him become the UFC’s first simultaneous two-division champion, much of his behavior outside the cage has left a lot to be desired.

    From his controversial verbal attacks on José Aldo, Khabib Nurmagomedov, and Dustin Poirier, which included some distasteful comments about family; religion; and some nations, to incidents beyond the sport; the “Notorious” Irishman is certainly a polarizing figure.

    Aside from punching an elderly man in a Dublin pub, multiple arrests, an accusation of assault from an Italian DJ, and seemingly looking for a fight against multi-platinum recording artist Machine Gun Kelly, perhaps McGregor’s most notable incident came prior to the UFC 223 event in 2018.

    The former two-division titleholder threw a steel dolly through a bus carrying a number of fighters scheduled to compete at the pay-per-view, including rival Khabib. The incident left Michael Chiesa with a cut, Ray Borg with glass in his eye, and Rose Namajunas with long-lasting trauma.

    But despite his multiple run-ins with the law and criticized actions, McGregor’s place at the top of the UFC has remained secure and his status as one of the biggest superstars in sport untouched.

    That’s a level of freedom that intrigues one controversial fighter…

    Strickland: “When I’m Champion, I Can Go Full Conor McGregor”

    One man who’s certainly joined McGregor in the upper-echelons of controversy is #7-ranked middleweight Strickland. While his carefree attitude has entertained some, his questionable remarks, including about homosexuality, have caused anger across some parts of the MMA community.

    At UFC Vegas 47 media day on Wednesday, “Tarzan” revealed he’d toned down his personality early on in his career to ensure he made it to the big leagues. Now that he’s there and competing towards the top, he’s enjoying the freedom to express himself and say “offensive” things.

    While some would suggest becoming a champion would require a level of company representation, Strickland looks at McGregor’s past and licks his lips.

    “It’s even better, because when I’m champion I can go full Conor McGregor,” Strickland told reporters. “I can go and fucking hit an old guy in a bar, fucking throw a fucking (dolly), try and fucking assault Khabib’s manager Ali (Abdelaziz), it’s fucking even better dude.”

    https://www.instagram.com/p/CZfZnjzt-u9/

    In Strickland’s way of jumping closer to Israel Adesanya’s gold and a McGregor level of freedom is Jack Hermansson. The pair will collide in this weekend’s UFC Vegas 47 main event, with both looking to stake their claim for a title shot.

    Would you like to see Sean Strickland reach the top of the UFC’s middleweight food chain?

  • UFC Vegas 47: Hermansson vs. Strickland Weigh-In Results & Preview

    The weigh-in results for UFC Fight Night: Strickland vs. Hermansson (UFC Vegas 47) have wrapped up, and we’ve got the scoop for you below.

    The second UFC Fight Night event of 2022 takes place tomorrow night in the entertainment capital of the world, Las Vegas, Nevada, inside the UFC APEX. All fights on the card will proceed as follows, although Steven Peterson missed weight by three pounds ahead of his featherweight bout against “Juicy” Julian Erosa. As a result, Peterson will be fined 30% of his fight purse.

    The main event will see Sean Strickland try to inch closer to title contention when he takes on Jack Hermansson. Strickland has continued to make headlines during fight week, such as taking a stab at clarifying previous remarks about homosexuals and offering to do “the man dance” with Kevin Holland. But the bulk of his attention is no doubt placed on the Joker right in front of him.

    Strickland and Hermansson have contrasting game plans heading into tomorrow night’s bout. Hermansson simply looks to hit and make it quick. Meanwhile, Stickland is intending to enjoy every moment of taking Hermansson’s soul while making him bleed. Both things cannot take place, but we’ll see what happens when these warriors and their visions meet in the middle tomorrow night.

    Aside from sharing his graphic prediction for tomorrow night, Strickland has also predicted that he will continue his outspokenness if he is to be booked against Israel Adesanya in a world title fight. Should he reach this point, he claims he will talk about Adesanya’s “titty” during the pre-fight buildup.

    Jack Hermansson doesn’t expect for it to come to that, however, as he will look to do what he claims many have asked him to do: put this wildman down when they meet tomorrow night.

    Below, you can check out the faceoff between tomorrow night’s headliners.

    Here is the faceoff between the co-main eventers Punahele Soriano (8-1) and the undefeated Nick Maximov (7-0).

    You can check out the UFC’s fight-by-fight preview for tomorrow night’s UFC Vegas 47 card right here and get caught up on all the stats and storylines! Below, you can peep the full weigh-in results and viewing information, courtesy of UFC.com.

    Main Card (7 PM ET, ESPN+)

    Main Event – Middleweight Bout: Jack Hermansson (185.5) vs Sean Strickland (185.5)

    Co-Main Event – Middleweight Bout: Punahele Soriano (185) vs Nick Maximov (185)

    Welterweight Bout: Shavkat Rakhmonov (170.5) vs Carlston Harris (169.0)

    Light Heavyweight Bout: Sam Alvey (205) vs Brendan Allen (205)

    Middleweight Bout: Tresean Gore (186) vs Bryan Battle (185.5)

    Featherweight Bout: Julian Erosa (145.5) vs Steven Peterson (*149)

    Preliminary Card (4 PM ET, ESPN+)

    Bantamweight Bout: Miles Johns (135.5) vs John Castaneda (136) 

    Featherweight Bout: Hakeem Dawodu (146) vs Michael Trizano (145.5)

    Middleweight Bout: Chidi Njokuani (185) vs Marc-Andre Barriault (184.5)

    Women’s Bantamweight Bout: Alexis Davis (135) vs Julija Stoliarenko (135.5)

    Light Heavyweight Bout: Jailton Almeida (203) vs Danilo Marques (205.5)

    Welterweight Bout: Jason Witt (171.5) vs Phil Rowe (170.5)    

    Flyweight Bout: Malcolm Gordon (126) Denys Bondar (125)

    Be sure to visit MMANews.com tomorrow night for live coverage, results, and highlights of UFC Vegas 47!

  • Sean Strickland Targets Title Shot: “I’ll Make Fun Of Stylebender’s Titty”

    UFC middleweight Sean Strickland is hoping to secure a title shot and the opportunity to “make fun” of champion Israel Adesanya’s swollen pectoral muscle during the build-up to it.

    Strickland, the current #7-ranked contender at 185 pounds, will have the chance to jump towards a championship opportunity this weekend at UFC Vegas 47. In his second consecutive main event on MMA’s biggest stage, “Tarzan” will face Swedish-born Norwegian Jack Hermansson.

    Having defeated Jack Marshman, Brendan Allen, Krzysztof Jotko, and Uriah Hall since his return to action in 2020, Strickland will hope to add the elite name of “The Joker” to his record inside Las Vegas’ Apex and, in doing so, further climb the middleweight ladder.

    https://www.instagram.com/p/CZH1SWBvdk2/

    While some fighters’ pursuit of gold derives from the desire to build a legacy, provide for their family, and establish their dominance in the sport of MMA, Strickland’s championship aspirations rest heavily on his enjoyment of making fun of Adesanya’s swollen right pectoral muscle.

    During UFC Vegas 47 media day on Wednesday, Strickland discussed his chances of earning a title shot with a victory this Saturday. While winning the belt isn’t crucial to him, the opportunity to go back-and-forth with “The Last Stylebender” during fight week is certainly an exciting prospect for the North Carolina native.

    “I mean, ideally, Brunson beats Cannonier and maybe, if I can do an impressive performance and, you know, dump and dodge and get a title shot; that would be the perfect world,” said Strickland. “But at the end of the day man, I’m just here to fight and make some money. If I get a title shot, fuck yeah, let’s go. I’ll make fun of Stylebender’s fucking titty all day long.”

    Strickland Has Consistently Accused Adesanya Of Steroid Usage

    Talk surrounding potential steroid usage has existed for Adesanya since UFC 253 in September 2020. While comfortably beating then-undefeated contender Paulo Costa, the Nigerian-New Zealander sported a visibly swollen pectoral muscle.

    The medical term for swelling in male breast tissue is Gynecomastia. The condition can be caused by a host of different factors, such as drugs and alcohol consumption, some medications, and a number of herbal products. One of the more well-known triggers is the use of anabolic steroids, an accusation many directed at Adesanya. Those detractors include Strickland.

    Having backed the champion to “starch” upcoming opponent Robert Whittaker, “Tarzan” recently suggested that everybody knows Adesanya uses steroids.

    “I mean, Israel’s just a crafty motherfucker,” Strickland told combat sports journalist Helen Yee. “Like, don’t get me wrong, we all know he does steroids, and that probably helps his performance. We all seen him fight with the titty that hung down. I mean, have you ever seen a man fight in the UFC with gyno from weed? I mean, look at Nate Diaz; if that was the case, Nate Diaz would have tits down to his knees. Get out of here with this.”

    https://www.instagram.com/p/CZcZDbFp9Xv/

    Given Strickland’s accusations and attacks on Adesanya in recent months, it’s hard to imagine the level of trash talk the rising contender would bring to the current middleweight king during a fight week or at a press conference if he makes his way into the title picture soon.

    Would you like to see Sean Strickland and Israel Adesanya share the Octagon together in the near future?

  • Strickland Reveals Why He’s More “Offensive” Than Early In His Career

    UFC middleweight Sean Strickland has explained why he feels more freedom to say controversial things now than he did early on in his career.

    There aren’t many figures more polarizing in MMA today than Strickland.

    While he’s entertained with his gym stories, his comments on sparring heavyweight powerhouse Francis Ngannou, his view on the sport of boxing, and his unique (and perhaps partly worrying) hunger for blood and destruction inside the Octagon, he’s also caused controversy with a number of remarks that were perceived to have crossed the line by some.

    But while he’s split opinion with his words and mindset outside the cage, not many can differ from the consensus view on Strickland’s fighting ability. In 27 professional fights, “Tarzan” has had his hand raised 24 times and defeated the likes of Court McGee, Brendan Allen, and Uriah Hall.

    When you’ve only been beaten by reigning welterweight king Kamaru Usman, Santiago Ponzinibbio, and an Elizeu Zaleski dos Santos spinning wheel kick across 13 years, you’re doing something right…

    Strickland Enjoys The Freedom To Say “Offensive Shit”

    While Strickland’s reputation as an eccentric, outspoken, and outright bizarre fighter has always existed to an extent, its prominence has certainly increased in recent times.

    Since putting his in-fight trash talk and vocal style on full display when he returned to action against Jack Marshman in 2020, Strickland’s antics have become more and more controversial, culminating in his comments surrounding homosexuality.

    The question many will ask is where was this Strickland at the start of his UFC run? Well, he was in hiding.

    During UFC Vegas 47 media day on Wednesday, “Tarzan” explained why he had to tone down his “offensive” takes early in his career.

    “You know what it is? I’m getting to a point where I can say shit and not get cut from the UFC,” said Strickland. “So before, it was like, man, I wasn’t good; I couldn’t say shit cause Dana White would be like, ‘Hey, go fuck that white trash motherfucker, get him out of here.’ But now, since I’m getting a bit more like, more of a fanbase and people wanna watch me fight, I can say a lot more offensive shit, so it’s nice.”

    Strickland went on to reveal his coaches and manager used to remind him not to say controversial remarks so that getting signed by the world’s premier organization remained a possibility. But now that he’s there and thriving, it’s “white trash motherfucker” from here on out.

    “Every coach or manager I ever had were like, ‘Sean, shut up, they’re not gonna sign you.’ They’re like, ‘Shut up, they don’t want that, they want an image.’ And then now, I’m just gonna be the white trash motherfucker that I am, it’s nice.”

    https://www.instagram.com/p/CZH1SWBvdk2/

    Strickland, who is unbeaten at middleweight in 18 appearances, will face his toughest test to date in the 185-pound division in this weekend’s main event. At UFC Vegas 47, he’ll be tasked with facing perennial contender Jack Hermansson.

    In this clash, we’ll see a smiling Swedish-born Norwegian fishing enthusiast throw down with a self-professed pornography-loving UFC “prostitute” looking for blood and more blood.

    Who will move closer to a title shot this Saturday night, Sean Strickland or Jack Hermansson?

  • Strickland Invites Holland To Do “The Man Dance” With Him To Settle Beef

    Feelings seem to be mutual between middleweights Sean Strickland and Kevin Holland.

    Both middleweights have recently stated their issues with each other.

    Holland was recently asked about his pick in the upcoming fight between Strickland and Jack Hermansson. When asked about the fight, Holland went on a rant about why he doesn’t like the rising middleweight.

    “Look, I love Eric [Nicksick] over there at Xtreme Couture. I love that gym, I think they’re awesome. But I absolutely do not like Strickland,” said Holland in an interview with ESPN. “If you like Strickland, if you’re a fan of Strickland, you’re kind of awkward. I don’t see how you can like that kind of guy.” (h/t MiddleEasy)

    Strickland: Holland Is Scared Of Me

    Sean Strickland
    Sean Strickland

    During the recent media day appearance for UFC Vegas 47, Strickland told his side of the story regarding his issues with Holland. During this appearance, he mentioned that they first started beefing on Instagram. Soon after, they met face to face at the UFC Performance Institute.

    “So anyways, I see him at the PI the other day. He’s like popped out his fuckin’ chest trying to fight me. And I’m like, ‘Kevin Holland bro, you have my Instagram, dude. We can’t fight here. Edgar, the fuckin, the UFC guy with the abs, he’s going to break this shit up here,” said Strickland. “You’ve gotta fuckin’ call me, we’ve gotta go to this fuckin’ parking lot and we’ll do the fuckin’ man dance.

    “The thing about Kevin Holland, you know, he doesn’t know how to embrace his feelings. He doesn’t know how to feel. He’s scared of his feelings. So like, Kevin Holland is one of those guys [where] he sees me and he’s scared of me.”

    It’s hard to imagine Holland and Strickland settling their beef in the cage anytime soon. Strickland is quite high up in the division currently, as he is theoretically just a few wins from being in the title picture. 

    Holland, however, is currently winless in his past three fights, resulting in two losses and one no contest. He’s set to return on March 5 against Alex Oliveira.

  • Hermansson: People Want To See Me Put Sean Strickland Down

    UFC middleweight contender Jack Hermansson says he’s never received more messages of support before a fight than he has ahead of his main event clash with Sean Strickland this weekend.

    With his position one spot outside the 185-pound top five, Hermansson will be hoping to jump closer to a title shot when he enters the Octagon for the first time this year.

    Having fallen short of doing so in a headliner versus Marvin Vettori in late 2020, “The Joker” got back on track last May with a comfortable decision triumph over the once-highly-touted prospect Edmen Shahbazyan. Since then, Hermansson has been watching matchups unfold and waiting for his next foe.

    That rival has come in the form of outspoken and controversial hard-hitter Strickland. The pair will close out Saturday’s UFC Vegas 47 card inside Las Vegas’ Apex facility, with a place in the championship conversation at stake.

    https://www.instagram.com/p/CXDeoWKq-rL/

    Fans Urge Hermansson To “Kill This Dude!”

    It’s fair to say that in his 28-fight career, Hermansson hasn’t come up against an opponent like Strickland. The Swedish-born Norwegian couldn’t be more different than his American counterpart when it comes to personality and voice.

    With Strickland’s antics, which have split opinions among fans, pundits, and fighters, it’s no surprise a portion of the MMA community want to see the #7-ranked middleweight beaten. That sentiment has apparently been clear in the DMs of Hermansson.

    During a recent appearance on Ariel Helwani’s The MMA Hour, the 33-year-old claimed the wave of support and backing he’s received ahead of his contest with Strickland is like nothing he’s experienced before in the UFC.

    “I was actually suggesting Sean Strickland (as an opponent),” said Hermansson. “Because he’s ranked one behind me, and he’s on a good win streak. I think he’s undefeated in the middleweight division, and he has some hype right now… He’s a little bit different [LAUGHS].

    “I’ve seen (his interviews) and he’s a funny character. Some things he says might be over the line. But what I do know is that I have never faced an opponent where so many people are messaging me, writing to me, like, ‘Man, kill this dude! You have to win this!’ I’m like, ‘Yeah, I’m always trying to win fights.’ People wanna see him go down, that’s for sure,” concluded Hermansson.

    While the pair may differ in their fight week, social media, and interview attitudes, one thing they have in common is their talent and toughness when the cage door shuts. They’ll both look to put that on full display come Saturday night.

    Who do you think will have their hand raised in the UFC Vegas 47 main event, Jack Hermansson or Sean Strickland?

  • Jack Hermansson: Unfiltered Strickland Doesn’t Think Before He Speaks

    UFC middleweight Jack Hermansson isn’t sure what to completely make of Sean Strickland’s antics ahead of their matchup at UFC Vegas 47.

    Hermansson is looking to move one step closer to a potential title shot if he can get past Strickland this weekend. However, Strickland presents unique challenges inside and outside of the cage.

    Strickland has emerged as one of the most controversial figures in the UFC today and is seen by some as the ‘middleweight Colby Covington’ with some of his comments. He doesn’t care how people perceive him on social media or with his unusual post-fight interviews.

    Hermansson has never been one to engage in trash talk and often lets his solid grappling base do the talking for him. During a recent interview on The MMA Hour with Ariel Helwani, Hermansson gave his thoughts on Strickland’s persona.

    “A mix, maybe,” Hermansson said. “I think he’s probably a pretty nice guy. I think he’s a pretty nice guy. But then, just from who he is as a person, and it might be his own character, not somebody else’s, it’s just who he is, he’s very unfiltered. I tend to think a little bit before I speak, and I don’t think he does that [LAUGHS]. “

    Despite his controversial views, Strickland has been on fire since moving from welterweight to middleweight. He’s won five straight over the likes of Uriah Hall, Krzysztof Jotko, and Brendan Allen since the move to 185.

    Hermansson has been a mainstay in the UFC middleweight title picture but has yet to earn a shot at the belt. He’s previously called himself the toughest matchup for Israel Adesanya and will look to support that claim this weekend.

    What’s your prediction for Jack Hermansson vs. Sean Strickland?

  • Strickland Attempts To Clarify ‘Homophobic’ Comments: “I Love Gay Men”

    Sean Strickland has attempted to clean up some previously controversial remarks in a very Strickland-like fashion.

    Sean Strickland has emerged as a strong candidate if not clear-cut choice for the most outspoken fighter on the UFC roster. By now, it is obvious that whenever there is a microphone anywhere near Strickland’s vicinity, the general public should expect the unexpected and brace themselves for the unhinged.

    One can only imagine what a Sean Strickland podcast would sound like. As an active fighter alone, he has given his unfiltered comments on topics ranging from in-competition murder, out-of-competition murder, porn & masturbation, and childhood Neo-Nazism, just to name a few.

    By now, most regular followers of MMA News have grown accustomed to Strickland’s wild remarks, but there was one particular story that made more headlines than the usual head-turning Strickland story.

    Last December, Strickland stated that if he had a homosexual son, that would mean he has failed as a man. This statement was met with wide backlash, despite Strickland’s initial attempt to tamper down the controversy by saying he “supports gay men.”

    During a UFC Vegas 47 media scrum Wednesday, Strickland took another crack at clarifying his remarks, this after he described a reporter’s hair as “gay.”

    “By the way, when I make fun of gays, dude, I fucking love gay men,” Strickland explained. “Gay men are awesome. Lesbians, not so much. Lesbians hate me. Lesbians look at me like the guy that hurt them; I’m not the guy, I’m not your father. But gay men, gay men look at me like they wanna fuck me, and I respect that. You know, they compliment me, they slide in my DMs, I get some dick pics every now and then; I respect that shit. So, I’m not homophobic.”

    Controversies and off-color remarks aside, Sean Strickland is known for something else: being one of the best fighters in the middleweight division. At present, he is ranked #7, and that number would no doubt get a bump should he defeat the #6-ranked Jack Hermansson this Saturday.

    If he does, you can once again expect more uncensored and uncontrolled comments from Strickland while he is in celebration mode, which is when “Tarzan” is in his most uninhibited state.

    What do you make of Sean Strickland’s remarks on homophobia?