Tag: Sean Strickland

Dricus du Plessis reacts to Sean Strickland’s emotional outburst ahead of UFC 297 fight: ‘I’m glad he cried’

Dricus du Plessis reacts to Sean Strickland emotional ahead of UFC 297 title fight I'm glad he criedReacting to a recent outburst of emotion from undisputed middleweight champion, Sean Strickland ahead of the pair’s title fight…

Dricus du Plessis reacts to Sean Strickland emotional ahead of UFC 297 title fight I'm glad he cried

Reacting to a recent outburst of emotion from undisputed middleweight champion, Sean Strickland ahead of the pair’s title fight in Canada later this month at UFC 297, Dricus du Plessis claimed he was “glad” to see the outspoken titleholder in tears, and questioned his supposed hardened mindset as a result.

Strickland, the current undisputed middleweight champion, is slated to make his return to the Octagon at UFC 297 later this month in a trip to ‘The Great White North’ – in search of his first successful title defense.

Winning gold in the most unlikely of circumstances back in September, the outspoken Strickland turned in a one-sided unanimous decision win over two-time champion, Israel Adesanya at UFC 293 in a massie upset judging win.

And as for du Plessis, the promotional-perfect finisher earned his first shot at Octagon gold courtesy of a blistering win over former undisputed champion, Robert Whittaker last July during International Fight Week, laying waste to the New Zealander with a second round TKO at UFC 290. 

Dricus du Plessis challenges Sean Strickland at UFC 297

Engaging in a recent brawl and scuffle in the crowd at UFC 296 last month with Strickland amid a war-of-words between the two, Pretoria native, du Plessis has claimed he was “glad” to see the champion in tears during a recent podcast appearance with comedian, Theo Von, where he recounted stories from his abusive childhood.

“It is what it is,” Dricus du Plessis said during an interview with MMA on Point. “I’m glad he (Sean Strickland) cried and got it out, it’s the end of that. I think we give him a lot more credit than he deserves in terms of mindset. I don’t think he thinks about anything.”

“I think he goes out there and he fights, he fights the way Sean Strickland fights,” Dricus du Plessis explained. “He always has and he’s an incredible fighter. I have a lot of respect for him as a fighter.”

Who wins at UFC 297 this month: Sean Strickland or Dricus du Plessis?

Henry Cejudo Says Fighters Like Sean Strickland Need to stop sharing their personal struggles with everyone

Henry Cejudo talks Sean StricklandHenry Cejudo is tired of seeing fighters air their dirty laundry and personal struggles to the public. Things have…

Henry Cejudo talks Sean Strickland

Henry Cejudo is tired of seeing fighters air their dirty laundry and personal struggles to the public.

Things have begun to heat up, particularly in the middleweight division where the ever-outspoken Sean Strickland currently sits atop the throne. Last month, Strickland and his UFC 297 challenger, Dricus Du Plessis, got into a heated exchange during the promotion’s seasonal press conference after ‘Stillknocks’ had commented on the champ’s history of growing up in an abusive home.

Cejudo, a former two-division UFC world champion, doesn’t see any benefit to putting these issues out in the open. Particularly in the case of Strickland who has spent plenty of time launching personal attacks on other fighters before being targeted for his own publicized vulnerabilities.

“I wouldn’t share things that bug you if you can’t be an advocate for it,” Cejudo said on his YouTube channel. “Especially to the world. But, you’re talking about peoples’ wives and calling people f*cks, and things of that nature. How do you not expect somebody else to come at you?”

Before getting into a physical altercation with Du Plessis at UFC 296, Sean Strickland launched a campaign against rising welterweight contender Ian Macho Garry and his wife, Layla Anna-Lee, calling her a “succubus” and “predator” after it was revealed that the 40-year-old TV personality had written a book on how to date young athletes and celebrities. Anna-Lee is 14 years younger than Garry.

While Cejudo suggested that making things personal could add a level of motivation for someone like Strickland come fight night, ‘Triple C’ ultimately believes that fighters, including Alexander Volkanovski, should save their traumatic experiences and personal battles for a more private setting.

“I hope you can come to the consensus to be able to accept the fact that you’re in this game, bro,” Cejudo said. “Learn how to play, don’t be [mocks crying]. You can’t, man.

“It’s the same with Volkanovski,” he continued. “Volkanovski is showing his cards that he goes through anxiety if he doesn’t fight. Like, bro, like what the f*ck. Keep some of that sh*t to yourself. The world doesn’t need to know” (h/t MMA Mania).

Ian Garry hits back at UFC foe Sean Strickland amid rivalry: ‘Don’t ever project your pain onto my family again’

Ian Garry hits out at UFC rival Sean Strickland don't ever project your pain onto my familyUndefeated welterweight contender, Ian Garry has accused undisputed middleweight champion, Sean Strickland of “projecting” his childhood trauma and life-views…

Ian Garry hits out at UFC rival Sean Strickland don't ever project your pain onto my family

Undefeated welterweight contender, Ian Garry has accused undisputed middleweight champion, Sean Strickland of “projecting” his childhood trauma and life-views on him and his family amid a recent rivalry between the two, urging the champion to first point the mirror to himself rather than anyone else.

Garry, the current number ten ranked welterweight contender, has been sidelined since he turned in a one-sided unanimous decision win over Neil Magny back in August at UFC 292, landing a shutout judging win over the division’s most winning-est fighter.

And as for Strickland, fresh from a September upset win over Israel Adesanya to land the undisputed middleweight title in Australia, the outspoken kingpin returns to the Octagon at UFC 297 this month in Canada, taking on the unbeaten Dricus du Plessis in a heated grudge match between the two.

Engaging in a scuffle and high-profile brawl with Pretoria native, du Plessis at UFC 296 on fighter row, Strickland claimed that fighters should never cross the line on childhood trauma, family, or a fighter’s spouse during their attempt to get under their skin.

Ian Garry hits back at Sean Strickland

However, fighting back at Strickland after the middleweight champion targeted Garry and his relationship with his manager, Layla Anna-Lee, the Dubliner accused the former of “projecting” his trauma onto him.

“How the tables have turned,” Ian Garry posted on Instagram. “You dish it out in the lowest most vile manner but can’t take a pinch. You attacked my wife incessantly and obsessively calling her a pedophile, it’s clear to see your childhood trauma showing. You claimed you were ‘giving me advice’ before, well, now it’s my turn to return the favor. You should shut your mouth and focus on the mirror because you have enough serious issues you need to solve.”

“I wish you all the best with them,” Ian Garry continued. “Don’t ever project your pain onto me and my daily again. Happy New Year.” 

Prior to Garry’s comments on Strickland’s feud with du Plessis, the Portmarnock striker laid out a planned ‘hitlist’ of opponents for this year inside the Octagon, which included his UFC 298 return against Geoff Neal, and a grudge match with Colby Covington, as well as a supposed middleweight title siege against Strickland himself. 

Who wins in a future title fight: Sean Strickland or Ian Garry?

Ian Garry shares ‘Hitlist’ for 2024 fighting season, eyes clashes with UFC stars Colby Covington, Sean Strickland

Ian Garry calls for 2024 fights with UFC rivals Colby Covington and Sean Strickland in hitlistUnbeaten welterweight contender, Ian Garry has put together a three-man hitlist for his 2024 season in the Octagon –…

Ian Garry calls for 2024 fights with UFC rivals Colby Covington and Sean Strickland in hitlist

Unbeaten welterweight contender, Ian Garry has put together a three-man hitlist for his 2024 season in the Octagon – beginning with his UFC 298 fight against Geoff Neal, and ending with an apparent middleweight fight against current champion, Sean Strickland. 

Garry, the current number ten ranked welterweight contender, has been sidelined since August of last year, most recently turning in a dominant unanimous decision win over perennial welterweight winner, Neil Magny.

And forced from a December comeback against Vicente Luque through a battle with pneumonia, Garry is set for an appearance at UFC 298 in February in Anaheim, California, in the form of a rescheduled fight with rival, Neal.

Receiving a recent call out from former interim welterweight champion, Colby Covington following the culmination of UFC 296 last month, Garry’s personal life and marriage with manager, Layla Anna-Lee has been the point of interest for the Clovis native in recent weeks.

Another fighter who has had his fair share to say on Garry’s relationship with Anna-Lee comes in the form of undisputed middleweight champion, Sean Strickland, who headlines UFC 297 this month against Dricus du Plessis.

Apparently locking eyes at the UFC Performance Institue in Las Vegas last month, Strickland urged Garry to settle their differences in the form of a melee, with the Dubliner weighing up a potential middleweight leap.

Ian Garry plans for Colby Covington, Sean Strickland fight in 2024

And on his official Instagram today, the Portmarnock striker has put together a ‘hitlist’ for this year, containing the above-mentioned, Neal, as well as Covington, and middleweight titleholder, Strickland. 

“Making my list for 2024,” Ian Garry posted on Instagram.

Ian Garry shares ‘Hitlist’ for 2024 fighting season, eyes clashes with UFC stars Colby Covington, Sean Strickland

Ian Garry calls for 2024 fights with UFC rivals Colby Covington and Sean Strickland in hitlistUnbeaten welterweight contender, Ian Garry has put together a three-man hitlist for his 2024 season in the Octagon –…

Ian Garry calls for 2024 fights with UFC rivals Colby Covington and Sean Strickland in hitlist

Unbeaten welterweight contender, Ian Garry has put together a three-man hitlist for his 2024 season in the Octagon – beginning with his UFC 298 fight against Geoff Neal, and ending with an apparent middleweight fight against current champion, Sean Strickland. 

Garry, the current number ten ranked welterweight contender, has been sidelined since August of last year, most recently turning in a dominant unanimous decision win over perennial welterweight winner, Neil Magny.

And forced from a December comeback against Vicente Luque through a battle with pneumonia, Garry is set for an appearance at UFC 298 in February in Anaheim, California, in the form of a rescheduled fight with rival, Neal.

Receiving a recent call out from former interim welterweight champion, Colby Covington following the culmination of UFC 296 last month, Garry’s personal life and marriage with manager, Layla Anna-Lee has been the point of interest for the Clovis native in recent weeks.

Another fighter who has had his fair share to say on Garry’s relationship with Anna-Lee comes in the form of undisputed middleweight champion, Sean Strickland, who headlines UFC 297 this month against Dricus du Plessis.

Apparently locking eyes at the UFC Performance Institue in Las Vegas last month, Strickland urged Garry to settle their differences in the form of a melee, with the Dubliner weighing up a potential middleweight leap.

Ian Garry plans for Colby Covington, Sean Strickland fight in 2024

And on his official Instagram today, the Portmarnock striker has put together a ‘hitlist’ for this year, containing the above-mentioned, Neal, as well as Covington, and middleweight titleholder, Strickland. 

“Making my list for 2024,” Ian Garry posted on Instagram.

Sean Strickland is overcome with emotion while reflecting on his childhood: ‘I stopped believing in god’

Sean StricklandJust because Sean Strickland rocks, it doesn’t mean he’s made of stone. If toxic masculinity had a face, it…

Sean Strickland

Just because Sean Strickland rocks, it doesn’t mean he’s made of stone.

If toxic masculinity had a face, it would be Sean Strickland’s. But underneath that incredibly tough exterior is a flesh-and-blood human being attempting to navigate life after overcoming an overwhelming amount of trauma. And whether you love him or hate him, you have to appreciate how open the reigning middleweight world champion has been with fans regarding his rocky upbringing and the strained relationship with his father.

Unfortunately, putting all of that information out there makes it that much easier for someone to weaponize it. That’s exactly what happened at the UFC Seasonal Press Conference last month in Las Vegas. Going face-to-face with his first title challenger, Dricus Du Plessis, ‘Stillknocks’ decided to deliver a low blow by making an ill-advised crack about Strickland’s childhood struggles.

The comment kicked off a fiery exchange between the two which turned physical 24 hours later when they were seated near one another during UFC 296.

Sean Strickland lets his guard down

Sean Strickland has since revealed that during an appearance on Theo Von’s This Past Weekend podcast shortly after the incident, he was overwhelmed with emotion while reflecting on a moment from his childhood.

The episode was officially released on January 1, 2024.

“In second grade, I kept falling asleep at my desk and my teacher took my desk away from me,” Strickland said. “She made me stand up and so, me, I’m like, ‘F*ck you’ and being this little kid, I just went and fell asleep on the ground. Mind you like, the school system’s like, ‘Oh, Sean, he’s just a bad kid.’ They don’t realize I’m up until three o’clock in the morning.

“I remember laying in bed, I remember when I stopped believing in god, man,” he continued. “Like, f*ck. I have f*cking … it’s crazy sh*t, dude. Crazy sh*t, man (laughs)” (h/t MMA Mania).

Von began to tell his own story after Strickland was done speaking but he was quick to apologize as the champ was noticeably “just processing,” as he’s heard saying.

“I think that’s one of the hard things people don’t understand about trauma, you know?” Strickland added.

Sean Strickland is coming off his best year yet in combat sports, earning three straight wins, none bigger than his lopsided unanimous decision victory over Israel Adesanya in September to claim the 185-pound crown. He’ll put that title on the line for the first time on January 20 when he headlines UFC 297 in Toronto against No. 2 ranked contender Dricus Du Plessis.

‘Stillknocks’ goes into the bout riding an eight-fight win streak dating back to 2019.