Tag: Sean Strickland

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 […]

Continue Reading Strickland Invites Holland To Do “The Man Dance” With Him To Settle Beef at MMA News.

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.

Continue Reading Strickland Invites Holland To Do “The Man Dance” With Him To Settle Beef at MMA News.

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 […]

Continue Reading Hermansson: People Want To See Me Put Sean Strickland Down at MMA News.

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.

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?

Continue Reading Hermansson: People Want To See Me Put Sean Strickland Down at MMA News.

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 […]

Continue Reading Jack Hermansson: Unfiltered Strickland Doesn’t Think Before He Speaks at MMA News.

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?

Continue Reading Jack Hermansson: Unfiltered Strickland Doesn’t Think Before He Speaks at MMA News.

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 […]

Continue Reading Strickland Attempts To Clarify ‘Homophobic’ Comments: “I Love Gay Men” at MMA News.

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?

Continue Reading Strickland Attempts To Clarify ‘Homophobic’ Comments: “I Love Gay Men” at MMA News.

Sean Strickland Doesn’t Care What You Think Of Him Ahead Of UFC Vegas 47

Sean StricklandUFC middleweight Sean Strickland doesn’t worry about what people think about his personality ahead of his second straight UFC main event. Strickland will face arguably the toughest test of his professional career against Jack Hermansson at UFC Vegas 47. He’s looking to win his sixth straight and move closer to a potential title shot. But […]

Sean Strickland

UFC middleweight Sean Strickland doesn’t worry about what people think about his personality ahead of his second straight UFC main event.

Strickland will face arguably the toughest test of his professional career against Jack Hermansson at UFC Vegas 47. He’s looking to win his sixth straight and move closer to a potential title shot.

But since his last win over Uriah Hall, many have been talking about Strickland’s out-of-competition behavior more than his skillset inside the cage. He’s seen as a controversial character on social media who has offended some regarding his views on homosexuality and other issues.

During his UFC Vegas 47 pre-fight press conference, Strickland explained why he doesn’t care how he is perceived by the UFC fanbase.

Sean Strickland Responds To Criticisms Of His Brash Personality

“I’m getting to a point where I can say sh*t and not get cut from the UFC,” Strickland said. “Before, it’s like – oh man, I wasn’t good. Like, I couldn’t say sh*t because Dana White would be like, ‘Hey, go f*ck that white trash motherf*cker. Get him out of here.’ But now, since I’m growing a little bit more like, you know, fan base, people want to watch me fight, I can say a lot more offensive sh*t.”

Strickland has ruffled plenty of feathers during his rise in the middleweight division. Kevin Holland recently explained his disdain for Strickland’s antics outside of the cage and called for a fight at some point.

Strickland has picked up a series of impressive wins since making the move from welterweight to middleweight. He’s earned victories over Uriah Hall and Krzysztof Jotko after an up-and-down tenure at 170 pounds which included a loss to current champion Kamaru Usman.

Strickland has the opportunity to silence the haters once again this weekend in arguably the biggest fight of his career.

What is your prediction for Sean Strickland vs. Jack Hermansson?

Sean Strickland Trash Talks Dominick Reyes During Sparring

Sean StricklandAhead of his Octagon return at UFC Vegas 46 this weekend, streaking #7 ranked contender Sean Strickland continued sparring, quite heavily against former two-time light heavyweight title challenger, Dominick Reyes before this weekend’s clash with Jack Hermansson. Strickland, who is in the midst of an impressive five-fight winning spree, most recently bested Uriah Hall with […]

Sean Strickland

Ahead of his Octagon return at UFC Vegas 46 this weekend, streaking #7 ranked contender Sean Strickland continued sparring, quite heavily against former two-time light heavyweight title challenger, Dominick Reyes before this weekend’s clash with Jack Hermansson.

Strickland, who is in the midst of an impressive five-fight winning spree, most recently bested Uriah Hall with a unanimous decision win in his first headlining bout under the promotion’s banner back at UFC Vegas 33 back in July.

Sean Strickland will feature in his second headliner against Jack Hermansson this weekend at UFC Vegas 46

The outspoken North Carolina native was slated to return against former middleweight champion, Luke Rockhold at UFC 268 back in November at Madison Square Garden, until a herniated disc injury forced the former middleweight titleholder from proceedings. 

Set to return to the Octagon this weekend against former Cage Warriors champion and tricky grappler, Hermansson, footage emerged detailing a sparring session between Sean Strickland and former two-time light heavyweight title challenger, Dominick Reyes – with the two sporting four-ounce gloves as the vocal Strickland continually trash talks the Hesperia native. 

During exchanges, Sean Strickland praises Reyes’ striking before telling the Californian to stop laughing, telling him, “I’m here to hurt you” and that “You’re here to play”. 

Strickland then blocks a shot from Reyes before telling him “I’m trying to f*cking put you down.” Eating a right-hand counter soon thereafter, Strickland exclaims, “Here we f*cking go.” 

Back in October 2020, Strickland landed his second consecutive victory of his current streak in a unanimous decision win over Wales native, Jack Marshman, repeatedly urging him to throw in the final minute of the three round fight, and asking him “why won’t you fall, Jack?” Following the klaxon and upon waiting on the official result, Strickland then asked, “Jack, why is your head made of steel?”

Amongst his Octagon victories, the Xtreme Couture trainee has bested the likes of Krzysztof Jotko, Brendan Allen, Nordine Taleb, Court McGee, and Alex Garcia to name a few.