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Sean Strickland talks Alex Pereira rematch: ‘I’m not scared, but I’ll just go to sleep’

Sean Strickland talks Alex Pereira rematch: 'I'm not scared, but I'll just go to sleep' Former undisputed middleweight champion, Sean Strickland has claimed he is not “scared” about the possibility of rematching fellow former…

Former undisputed middleweight champion, Sean Strickland has claimed he is not “scared” about the possibility of rematching fellow former divisional titleholder, Alex Pereira in the future, however, admits he would likely get knocked out for a second time.

Strickland, the current number one ranked middleweight challenger, most recently turned in a decision win over former title chaser, Paulo Costa back in May — co-headlining UFC 302 in Newark, New Jersey.

Coach rules Sean Strickland from 'Nightmare' rematch with UFC star Alex Pereira

As for Brazilian fan-favorite, Pereira, the undisputed light heavyweight champion is slated to headline UFC 307 later this year in a title defense against Khalil Rountree — having dispatched Jiri Prochazka with a brutal second round high-kick back in their June title rematch during International Fight Week.

However, with Dricus du Plessis submitting former champion, Israel Adesanya earlier this month at UFC 305, Strickland has already been lined up to take on the South African in a rematch of their controversial UFC 297 title showdown — with the former hoping to strike the rematch in North America this time around.

Sean Strickland unsure of rematch fight with Alex Pereira

And following claims from his head coach, Eric Nicksick that he would likely skirt a rematch between Strickland and Pereira, the former admitted that while he’s not scared to take on the Brazilian again — he admittedly doesn’t fancy his chances.

“I’m not scared of Alex (Pereira), but my chin — I’ll just go to sleep, it’s a weird thing,” Sean Strickland told the Brazilian’s head coach, Plinio Cruz during a recent video. “For me to knock Alex out, he has to do something really stupid. If you gave me one free shot and you said give everything you can, I’m not knocking him out.”

Sean Strickland explains why it’s so tough facing Alex Pereira:

“I’m not scared of Alex, but my chin… I’ll just go to sleep it’s a weird thing…

For me to knock Alex out he has to do something really stupid… if you gave me one free shot and you said give everything you can,… pic.twitter.com/jqMHovjj5g

— Championship Rounds (@ChampRDS) August 23, 2024

But you do that to Alex, everybody on the roster’s going to sleep,” Sean Strickland explained. “I just know that no matter what the f*ck I do, he’s gonna eat it, and if he just touches me one good one — good night.”

Sean Strickland’s Coach Points Out Weakness In Dricus Du Plessis Ahead Of Potential Rematch: ‘If The Wrestling Does Happen…’

Sean Strickland’s coach Eric Nicksick has already spoken about how a rematch with Dricus Du Plessis won’t need big changes from them. Their first encounter at UFC 297 where Du Plessis came away with a split decision to become the middleweight champion, was a closely contested affair over five rounds. Making small adjustments before running […]

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Sean Strickland’s coach Eric Nicksick has already spoken about how a rematch with Dricus Du Plessis won’t need big changes from them.

Their first encounter at UFC 297 where Du Plessis came away with a split decision to become the middleweight champion, was a closely contested affair over five rounds.

Making small adjustments before running it back will be key because, as we saw in the first fight, there isn’t much to separate these two.

The fight was predominantly a striking exchange between them but the occasional takedown attempts from Du Plessis opened up some moments that they could capitalize on in the rematch, in Nicksick’s opinion.

Eric Nicksick Says Sean Strickland Can Use Transitional Grappling Against Dricus Du Plessis

Nicksick knows better than to expect his fighter to go out there in a title fight and start shooting for takedowns.

Strickland’s style is very set in its ways and we saw that when he faced elite strikers in Alex Pereira and Israel Adesanya, and didn’t once try to take the fight to the ground.

Where Nicksick feels they can have success after watching the first fight play out is in the transitions after Du Plessis attempts takedowns.

The Xtreme Couture head coach was able to take lessons from UFC 297 and the time he cornered Brad Tavares against “Stillknocks”, to find this one area.

“The one thing I will bring up that I feel like Sean doesn’t give himself enough credit for – so when Dricus took Sean down, there was some transitional grappling, things that I want to see Sean implement a little bit more. Sean never was really held down, we were never like taken down and laid on our back but there, Sean’s really good at hitting the switch and Sean’s really good at counterbalancing and taking the back to where I think Sean could implement a little ground and pound and top pressure himself.

“Anecdotally looking back at what Brad did, when Brad fought Dricus, Brad got on top and Brad rode Dricus all the first round so I think Dricus is a very good topside grappler, I don’t think he’s that great off his back so I’m not saying we need to go and initiate the wrestling but if the wrestling does happen, I think Sean can reverse those positions and get on top and create some havoc up there.”

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‘David Goggins needs to shut the f*** up’ says UFC veteran, approved by Sean Strickland

Former UFC middleweight contender, Hector Lombard has hit out at former US Marine, David Goggins — urging the social…

Former UFC middleweight contender, Hector Lombard has hit out at former US Marine, David Goggins — urging the social media star to “shut the f*ck up” when it comes to fighting advice, after the latter previously served in the corner of former interim champion, Tony Ferguson.

Lombard, a former perennial contender in the middleweight ranks of the UFC, departed the promotion back in 2018 following a decision loss against former title challenger, Thales Leites in Sao Paulo, Brazil.

Returning in mixed martial arts competition under the banner of the Gamebred Fighting Championship back in December of last year, Cuban powerhouse, Lombard landed a first round TKO win over Chris Sarro in his most recent outing in mixed martial arts.

Hector Lombard rips runner, David Goggins

And sharing his thoughts on the above-mentioned, David Goggins’ decision to help train Ferguson for his showdown with Paddy Pimblett at the end of last year, Lombard had some strong words for the former United States Marine Corps member — which was also backed up by former UFC middleweight champion, Sean Strickland.

“This is my opinion, and I could be wrong,” Hector Lombard told Calf Kick Sports. “But this is my opinion: David Goggins needs to shut the f*ck up. …You know I cannot even say something that will help the guy. If all you do is run — and I don’t even think he really runs, because you always run by yourself, okay. When you’re fighting, you’re fighting somebody else.”

“When you’re fighting, you’re fighting somebody else that is good,” Hector Lombard explained. “So when you beat the guy, everybody knows that you beat the guy — black strip, he is the top of the top.”

During his tenure in the UFC, former BKFC contender, Lombard would land notable wins over Rousimar Palhares, Nate Marquardt, and former title challenger, Jake Shields. Lombard also won the undisputed middleweight title under the banner of Bellator MMA during his time with the organization.

Dricus du Plessis is a weirdo claims Sean Strickland, preps for bloody fight for the title

Pegged to rematch former-foe, Dricus du Plessis for the undisputed middleweight champion off the back of his win at…

Pegged to rematch former-foe, Dricus du Plessis for the undisputed middleweight champion off the back of his win at UFC 305 over the course of the weekend, former titleholder, Sean Strickland has labelled him a “weirdo” as well as predicting the duo will share a bloody rematch together.

Strickland, the current number one ranked divisional challenger, most recently featured on the main card of UFC 302 earlier this year in New Jersey, taking out former title challenger, Paulo Costa in the pair’s grudge fight in Newark.

As for du Plessis, the Pretoria native headlined UFC 305 over the course of last weekend, stopping common-foe and former two-time middleweight champion, Israel Adesanya with a spectacular fourth round rear-naked choke submission win in Perth, Australia.

And while former middleweight champion, Alex Pereira has weighed up a potential return to 185lbs, UFC CEO, Dana White has already confirmed that former champion, Strickland would take on the victor of the UFC 305 main event win — now confirmed as du Plessis.

Sean Strickland brands rival, Dricus du Plessis a “weirdo”

Welcoming the chance to take on du Plessis as long as their rematch takes place in North America, Strickland claimed the former was a “weirdo” and predicted the duo would let blood spatter in their title re-run.

“Dricus is a f***ing weirdo, man,” Sean Strickland told ESPN MMA during a recent interview. “Maybe if there was another headbutt, maybe he cuts me again. Or maybe hopefully cut this side of my face.”

“But no, dude, I’m always confident,” Sean Strickland explained. “At the end of the day, I just want to have more. I think the thing going into that fight, like I’m going to wake up Saturday morning, I’m going to have all my gear and I’m going to be looking at the clock and I’m just going to know that I’m going into a fight, get some brain damage, and that’s, it’s a nice feeling knowing that you’re going to go and just have a war. It’s nice, like a big moment in your life. It’s exciting. I suppose losing some brain cells wouldn’t excite most people, but it does, it is every day people just wake up and they just accept.”

“Another wrong with that,” Sean Strickland told. “But like when you fight, it tests who you are to the poor man. Like I know I’m going to be bloody. He’s going to be bloody. There’s going to be animosity. There’s going to be some hatred. There’s going to be some personal shit involved. Like that kind of feeling, man, a drug can’t replicate that.”

Sean Strickland Does NOT Deserve a Title Shot, says Demetrious Johnson

UFC legend Demetrious “Mighty Mouse” Johnson says that Sean Strickland does not deserve the next title shot. The ONE…

UFC legend Demetrious “Mighty Mouse” Johnson says that Sean Strickland does not deserve the next title shot. The ONE MMA world champion recently shared his insights on the UFC middleweight title scene and a potential champion-versus-champion fight involving Dricus Du Plessis and Alex Pereira.

Dricus Du Plessis vs. Sean Strickland?

Du Plessis impressed many with his performance against former champion Israel Adesanya at UFC 305 in Perth, Australia. The South African fighter showcased his skills by going head-to-head with Adesanya for three rounds before submitting him with a rear-naked choke in the fourth round. This victory solidified Du Plessis as the top fighter in the 185-pound division and sparked discussions about his next opponent.

Johnson, speaking on his YouTube channel, expressed uncertainty about Adesanya’s future after his two consecutive losses. He suggested that Adesanya might fight the loser of the upcoming bout between Robert Whittaker and Khamzat Chimaev. Despite Adesanya’s current situation, Johnson expressed a desire to see him continue fighting.

For Du Plessis, Johnson proposed a match against the winner of the Whittaker vs. Chimaev fight, dismissing UFC CEO Dana White’s suggestion that Sean Strickland should be next in line for a title shot. Johnson was not impressed by Sean Strickland’s previous fight against Paulo Costa and suggested Sean Strickland seek other opportunities.

In an interview with RG, he explained:

“I think we see him fight the winner of Khamzat and Robert Whittaker. I know Dana White went out there and said the winner of this fight is gonna fight Sean Strickland. I don’t know if I want to see that fight. I think Sean Strickland could do something else, because when he fought (Paulo) Costa, I didn’t think it was a very exciting fight.”

Alex Pereira’s Situation

Johnson also commented on Alex Pereira, the current light heavyweight champion, who had previously held the middleweight title. Pereira hinted at returning to the middleweight division after Du Plessis’ victory over Adesanya. However, Johnson advised Pereira to focus on defending his 205-pound title against Khalil Rountree at UFC 307 and potentially against Magomed Ankalaev before considering a move back to middleweight for a champion-versus-champion fight.

‘Might Mouse’ said:

“I don’t want to see that, right? Maybe if he gets past (Rountree and Magomed) Ankalaev – if he beats those two guys, then I’d love to see him come down to 185. But I think right now you leave Alex Pereira against Khalil, and then you have the winner of Robert Whittaker versus Khamzat taking on DDP.

Kai Kara-France’s Opportunity

In the flyweight division, Johnson praised Kai Kara-France for his first-round TKO victory over Steve Erceg, suggesting that Kara-France deserves a title shot against reigning champion Alexandre Pantoja. With former champion Deiveson Figueiredo no longer in the division, Johnson believes Kara-France’s recent performance warrants a chance to compete for the belt.

Demetrious Johnson explained:

“He’s on a successful run, big knockouts in the division. I think right now, this would be a good opportunity to have Kai Kara-France fight Alex Pantoja. I think right now, when you look at the division, you don’t have (former champion Deiveson) Figueiredo in there anymore. He’s at 135. Kara-France just knocked out Steve Erceg, a guy that Pantoja couldn’t finish. So I think you give Kai Kara-France the opportunity to fight for the belt against Alex Pantoja.”

PERTH, AUSTRALIA – AUGUST 18: (R-L) Kai Kara-France of New Zealand punches Steve Erceg of Australia in a flyweight fight during the UFC 305 event at RAC Arena on August 18, 2024 in Perth, Australia. (Photo by Jeff Bottari/Zuffa LLC)

Sean Strickland On Being Arrested In South Africa & Taking A Fight To Avoid Jail

Sean Strickland recently recounted the tale of getting arrested during his time in South Africa and how that pivotal incident reignited his MMA career. The former UFC middleweight champion has earned as much attention for his fighting skill inside the Octagon as for his ability to spark controversy beyond it. With his audacious and unfiltered […]

Continue Reading Sean Strickland On Being Arrested In South Africa & Taking A Fight To Avoid Jail at MMA News.

Sean Strickland recently recounted the tale of getting arrested during his time in South Africa and how that pivotal incident reignited his MMA career.

The former UFC middleweight champion has earned as much attention for his fighting skill inside the Octagon as for his ability to spark controversy beyond it. With his audacious and unfiltered personality, he’s become a well-known figure in the MMA world, regularly voicing provocative opinions on a variety of commonplace issues.

Strickland has consistently found himself at the heart of controversy, entangled in several scandals over the years. From almost being yanked from his short-notice title fight against Israel Adesanya at UFC 293 in Australia, allegedly for assaulting a civilian at Bondi Beach, to receiving a stern warning from UFC CEO Dana White that he could be deported from Canada before his UFC 297 bout with Dricus Du Plessis due to his polarizing views on the LGBTQ community—the 33-year-old Californian’s antics have often put him on thin ice.

Strickland Reveals He Ended Retirement To Fight In South Africa To Pay Off Bail Bond

During a recent interview with ESPN MMA, Strickland was asked why he isn’t keen on the idea of having his rematch against UFC middleweight champion Dricus Du Plessis in the titleholder’s homeland of South Africa. “Tarzan” revealed that he visited the country long ago and wasn’t fond of it, which is why he prefers the fight to happen in the United States instead.

The American went on to share that during his time in Durban, he was arrested by the local police for reasons unmentioned and found himself in urgent need of cash to post bail. With limited options, he realized that the quickest way to earn the money was by taking a fight, despite the fact that he had already retired at that point.

Strickland disclosed that he accepted a last-minute bout against Donavin Hawkey at the King of the Cage: Platinum event in November 2010 to quickly secure some cash.

“Funny enough, I actually got arrested and had just retired from fighting. I had to pay a bail bondsman, so it was either pay the bail or go to jail. If you need quick cash, what do you do? So, I went and fought this guy named Donavin Hawkey on two weeks’ notice in South Africa just to pay the bondsman not go to jail.“

“Tarzan” went on to mention that the fight reignited his passion for MMA.

“That’s literally how I got back into MMA. I was bored, broke, living in gyms, and I’m 19 years old, riding a bicycle like a loser, thinking, ‘I’m done with this sh*t.’ Then I got arrested. I was like, ‘Oh sh*t, well, I guess you have to pay the bail bondsman or go back to jail.’”

Strickland seized the 185-pound title from Adesanya last September, but his reign was short-lived, as Du Plessis dethroned him this past January. Following his decision win over Paulo Costa at UFC 302 in June, Strickland is eager for a rematch with “Stillknocks”.

However, his position as the top contender is precarious, as the winner of the upcoming UFC 308 clash between Robert Whittaker and Khamzat Chimaev could easily leapfrog him in the race for the title shot.

Read More: Sean Strickland Shares Unpopular Opinion On Former UFC Middleweight Champ: ‘I Just Don’t Think Izzy’s That Good!’

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