Sean Strickland has caught the attention of David Goggins.
Although he’s adamant to stay out of the Octagon until given another Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC) Middleweight title shot, Strickland has stayed busy in the training room. During a recent trip to Japan, Strickland throttled Japanese kickboxer, Rukiya Anpo, before coming home to beat up a Navy SEAL in sparring.
The former UFC champion has since mocked Goggins, a popular influencer and former Navy SEAL, and the army branch in general. Therefore, leading to a challenge from Goggins to Strickland in an attempt to prove a Hell Week isn’t as easy as “Tarzan” believes.
“This is your opportunity to show the world that you can f*ck me up,” Goggins said in a video message (h/t talkSport). “I will have camera crews out there. You make sure you bring your f*cking camera crew out there because you’re going to want to get this on camera.
“A 49-year-old, broke down knee, f*cked up body guy is gonna put you through a camp that you think you can f*ck me up in,” he concluded. “This is your opportunity, Strickland. I haven’t forgotten about your video. I hope to see you there also.”
While he waits for the upcoming title fight between the champion, Dricus du Plessis, and Israel Adesanya at UFC 305 next month (Sat., Aug. 17, 2024), Strickland may have his plate full after accepting the challenge.
“Goggins, I heard you want a piece,” Strickland responded on Instagram. “Challenge accepted.
“Just so you know, man, the only thing you beat me at in life is f*cking running,” he concluded. “But guess what, I don’t have to f*cking run. You run for me.”
Strickland, 33, recently returned to the win column with a split decision win against Paulo Costa at UFC 302 last month (June 29, 2024).