The new middleweight champion of the UFC Sean Strictland is currently on a hiatus recovering from an injury sustained during his title-winning performance against Israel Adesanya. Strickland, currently on vacation, was recently seen at a bull riding event.
Strickland, a former welterweight, switched to middleweight after a motorcycle accident. He had a good run at middleweight but faced defeats in consecutive bouts that seemed to derail the hype. However, a two-fight win streak over budding contenders got him a title shot that resulted in his victory.
Strickland takes unconventional path during UFC hiatus
The UFC CEO, Dana White, has an interest beyond MMA. One such interest is bull-riding. One of his most notorious bulls is named ‘Twisted Steel’. Even Sean Strickland was at the bull-riding event recently and interacted with the rider of ‘Twisted Steel’. The champion on vacation had a wonderful idea and he proposed it.
Strickland proposed the idea that he would ride the bull if and only if the rider would spar with the middleweight champion afterward. The middleweight champion is known for sparring day in and day out. Ironically, it was his sparring practices that enabled him to outstrike the credentialed kickboxer in Israel Adesanya at UFC 293.
The middleweight title picture became clear after Dana White announced Strickland’s next opponent earlier. White said that the winner of the co-main event of UFC 294 is the next title challenger. The bout is between Kamaru Usman and Khamzat Chimaev. Both fighters have plied their trade in the welterweight division where they are ranked 1 and 4 respectively.
Notably, Usman defeated Sean Strickland at UFC 210 when the middleweight champion was plying his trade at welterweight before his motorcycle accident. Usman in a recent interview with TMZ Sports reminisced the victory and was eager for a rematch in a higher weight class. Interestingly, Khamzat Chimaev has trained with Strickland at Extreme Couture.
Sean Strickland boldly comments on USADA’s exit from the league
The UFC-USADA split was in the news recently. The relationship between UFC and USADA would be ending on a sour note by 31st December 2023. The UFC has announced its new anti-doping partner in Drug-Free Sport International. The anti-doping program would be spearheaded by George Piro, a former FBI Operative who is known for interrogating Saddam Hussein.
When the UFC-USADA split became public after the USADA CEO, Travis Tygart’s public statement, the fighter had a humorous reaction on social media. Strickland, not one to shy away from controversial topics, too had a thing to say about it. The middleweight champion hilariously tweeted, “You guys…. did you hear?!? Were all gonna be juiced up soon!!!!!!!! Lmao…. #USADA Any recommendations? I’m kinda new at this….” Strickland’s comments are not serious as he is known to provoke the sentiments of people with his statements.
Recently, he had a feud with Belal Muhammad which extended to X. Sean Strickland vehemently opposed Muhammad providing support to Palestine amidst the Israel-Palestine conflict. Muhammad is a stern supporter of the Palestinian cause as evidenced by his using the Palestinian flag during his walkouts. However, Strickland labeled the acts of Palestinians as that of terrorists.
With the UFC looking for a title fight between Sean Strickland with Kamaru Usman/Khamzat Chimaev, which matchup are you most looking forward to? Comment below!
