A Rocky Road to Redemption
Sean Strickland’s journey to the Octagon has been anything but smooth, and his recent loss to Dricus du Plessis at UFC 312 highlights the personal and professional struggles he’s faced. In a candid Twitter video, Strickland addressed the myriad issues that plagued his preparation for the fight, including a broken bone in his arm and a staph infection. While he acknowledges these challenges, he is resolute that they do not serve as excuses for his performance. Instead, Strickland is focused on moving forward, both with his training and his relationship with Xtreme Couture, even if it means a different set of coaches by his side.
The Breakdown of a Camp
Strickland’s training camp was a series of setbacks. Just months before the fight, he discovered a broken bone in his arm, which he had to treat in Colombia with stem cell therapy. This injury, along with a staph infection, added to the mental and physical strain. Despite these obstacles, Strickland never wavered in his determination to step into the Octagon and face du Plessis. He admits that the entire camp was a mental battle, constantly having to tell himself he was good enough to fight. “All camp this is just in the back of your head and you just keep telling yourself ‘I’m fcking good’ and I think this is what all men do,” Strickland said. “You look in the mirror and even though you’re not good, you’re like ‘I’m fcking good, you’re a f*cking man, you sack up.’”
Facing the Critics
In the aftermath of the fight, head coach Eric Nicksick of Xtreme Couture, described Strickland’s performance as “very underwhelming” and “uninspiring,” sparking a mix of hurt and defiance in Strickland. While he maintains a friendly relationship with Nicksick, Strickland is clear that the coach may not be in his corner for future fights. “I like Eric [Nicksick],” Strickland said. “He’s a friend of mine and he’s going to continue to be a friend of mine. Will he probably be in my corner? Probably not. We have so many great guys at Xtreme [Couture], Nate [Pettit], Ray Sefo, we have so many savages that I would love to corner me.” Strickland’s video serves as a response to Nicksick’s comments, explaining his side of the story and the challenges he overcame.
A Fighter’s Resilience
Despite the physical and mental battles, Strickland’s resilience shone through in the fight. Even when du Plessis broke his nose, Strickland refused to give up. “Nothing with Dricus, he came there and fought his ass off,” Strickland said. “Fcking broke my nose. Hell yeah. Hats off you fought like a fcking man. I broke my nose like f*cking three times in that round and every single time, I didn’t quit.” This grit and determination are hallmarks of Strickland’s character and are indicative of why he continues to be a respected figure in the MMA community.
Finding Fulfillment Beyond the Belt
Strickland’s motivation for fighting goes far deeper than championship belts. He reflects on his journey, from a place of low self-esteem to a life of purpose and passion. “I don’t fight to put belts on the wall,” he said. “I don’t fcking fight because Eric wants to go do a fcking fancy podcast. That’s not why I fight. Before fighting, I had the lowest self-esteem, couldn’t even look at myself in the fcking mirror. Like I didn’t even know what dignity was when I first started fighting.” Through his career, Strickland has found a sense of self and a community that has transformed his life. “Through the UFC and fight fans, you guys have changed my fcking life. Changed my f*cking life. You made me grow so much as a person in the ring and out of the ring and that’s why I fight.”
A New Beginning
As Strickland looks to the future, he is committed to starting anew. “I’ve got a lot of fights left on my contract. I love fighting. I’m going back to the gym. I’m working my ass off and I’m starting from f*cking square one. That’s just kind of how life is.” His dedication to improvement and his love for the sport are unwavering. Strickland’s journey is a testament to the resilience and spirit that define true fighters, and his fans and teammates can look forward to seeing him back in the Octagon, stronger and more determined than ever.
