A Hidden Setback Before the Octagon
Sean Strickland has reclaimed his position as the UFC middleweight king, but the path to victory was far more treacherous than fans realized. During the post-fight press conference following his triumph at UFC 328 in Newark, New Jersey, Strickland revealed that he stepped into the cage while managing a painful physical injury.
The champion explained that the incident occurred just four days before his showdown with Khamzat Chimaev during a training session. «Funny story — on Tuesday, I'm sparring Johnny Eblen, that PFL champ. I'm at Plinio Cruz's gym. He shoots on me, and I hit his brick-ass wall, and I separate my shoulder,» Strickland recounted. He noted that he suffered a grade-one AC joint separation, which made basic movements, including lying on his side, incredibly difficult throughout the lead-up to the event.
Strategic Challenges During the Bout
The injury significantly altered Strickland's preparation and in-cage approach. He opted to bypass his usual intensive warm-up routine to avoid further aggravating the shoulder. The impact was immediately visible in the opening round, as Chimaev utilized his trademark grappling to control Strickland against the cage for the majority of the frame.
However, the 35-year-old managed to shift the momentum starting in the second round, successfully keeping the action standing for the remainder of the fight. Strickland also recounted a tense moment in the fifth round involving a deceptive gesture from his opponent:
«He pointed at the mat and said, 'Let's give the people what they want, let's have the man dance.' And I was like, ‘OK. I trust you.’ So I put my hands up, and he f*ing shoots on me. I remember thinking, if you lose this fight because you were a moron and trusted this man, I'm going to be so salty.»
Looking Toward the Future
Despite the competitive intensity, Strickland expressed respect for Chimaev’s relentless pressure. With Chimaev reportedly considering a move to the light heavyweight division, the UFC middleweight landscape is shifting quickly.
The horizon now points toward a potential clash with Nassourdine Imavov, the highest-ranked contender in the division. Strickland, who previously defeated Imavov in a 2023 light heavyweight bout, expressed his support for following the divisional rankings:
«I truly believe in UFC rankings. I think they matter, and I hate when guys jump them, so if that's who it is, let's go,» Strickland stated. While he is open to a title defense against Imavov, he maintained a strict stance regarding the location of his future bouts. Emphasizing his patriotism, the champion made it clear that he has no intention of competing internationally again, insisting that his future fights will take place exclusively within the United States.