Tag: Sean Strickland

UFC champ Dricus Du Plessis: Khamzat Chimaev ‘gets me more excited’ than Sean Strickland rematch

Dricus Du Plessis has diverted his attention to Khamzat Chimaev after UFC 308.

Middleweight champion [autotag]Dricus Du Plessis[/autotag] has diverted his attention to [autotag]Khamzat Chimaev[/autotag] after UFC 308.

Du Plessis (22-2 MMA, 8-0 UFC) was expecting to run things back with [autotag]Sean Strickland[/autotag] (29-6 MMA, 16-6 UFC) for his next title defense. But after Chimaev (14-0 MMA, 8-0 UFC) ran through former champ Robert Whittaker for a first-round submission in Saturday’s UFC 308 co-main event, Du Plessis now has a new target.

“We always knew that, between Rob and Khamzat, if it was going to be something exceptional that happens, there might be a change in the title fight,” Du Plessis told Radioraps. “We have no clarity on that, but as a fan of the sport, and as the middleweight champion of the world, that’s a fight that gets me more excited – taking somebody’s 0. I’ve beaten Strickland before, and I know I’ll beat him again.

“Getting that Khamzat fight, that gets me excited. I think the whole world, the fans want to see it. The fans ultimately pay to watch the fights. So, the fight the world thinks is the best next fight, that’s what I want. I think the Khamzat fight is 100 percent what I want. The UFC is going to do what they’re going to do, but from a fan perspective and from a fighter’s perspective, I think Khamzat should get the next shot.”

Du Plessis’ head coach, Morne Visser, echoed that sentiment on Instagram.

“3 athletes that started their UFC careers around the same time @tomaspinallofficial @dricusduplessis @iliatopuria 3 world champions, that will stay champions for a really long time!

Massive congrats to @iliatopuria on a phenomenal performance.

We want Khamzat next in February.
Prepare to be amazed once again.”

https://www.instagram.com/p/DBpzYxTopvd/?img_index=1

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For more on the card, visit MMA Junkie’s event hub for UFC 308.

Daniel Cormier: Khamzat Chimaev earned title shot at UFC 308, Sean Strickland should be worried

After UFC 308, Daniel Cormier believes Khamzat Chimaev likely leapfrogged Sean Strickland as No. 1 middleweight contender.

After UFC 308, [autotag]Daniel Cormier[/autotag] believes [autotag]Khamzat Chimaev[/autotag] likely has leapfrogged [autotag]Sean Strickland[/autotag] as No. 1 middleweight contender.

Chimaev (14-0 MMA, 8-0 UFC) ran through former champion Robert Whittaker (27-8 MMA, 17-6 UFC) for a first-round submission in Saturday’s co-main event in Abu Dhabi. Strickland (29-6 MMA, 16-6 UFC) was expected to be next in line for a title-fight rematch with champion Dricus Du Plessis, but Cormier isn’t so sure after Chimaev made quick work of Whittaker.

“Khamzat Chimaev earned himself a title shot, or at least he should have,” Cormier said on his YouTube channel. “He submitted Robert Whittaker in the first round – first round! Went across the octagon, double-legged him, took him down, choked him, and broke his jaw – broke his jaw! With a squeeze from a rear-naked choke. It was nuts to see him do that to a guy that was the generation before him, was one of the guys. Robert Whittaker for a long time has been one of the guys. When he wasn’t the champion, he was ranked No. 1, or No. 2. Chimaev is ranked No. 12 right now.

“He went and beat him in the first round. And if you’re Sean Strickland, that result worries you. Why? Because Mick Maynard is sitting next to me and jumps up and runs to Dana, and they start talking with Hunter (Campbell). Dana immediately runs over to follow Chimaev to talk to him. That’s scary to a guy that’s considered the No. 1 contender because that tells you things are happening. Khamzat Chimaev, to me, solidified himself as the No. 1 contender at 185 pounds. His wrestling, his top control, his mentality, his approach, it’s not like many things we have seen.”

Since losing his middleweight title in a split decision loss to Du Plessis at UFC 297 in January, Strickland rebounded with a unanimous decision win over Paulo Costa at UFC 302 in June. He previously stated that he refuses to take another fight unless it’s for the title and is still confident that he’s next for Du Plessis.

“Understand one thing…. I am next in line….. Its been said, its been written… January/February me and @dricusduplessis are scrapping Go back to Chechnya and wait a few months….. wait.. sorry UAE… you’re not allowed in Chechnya…But hey crypto scams while you wait.”

https://www.instagram.com/p/DBpQPTZRJ3q/?igsh=MXNnMWtkcHd5a2pweQ%3D%3D&img_index=1

“Khamzat Chimaev should be fighting for the belt next,” Cormier added. “He really should. I don’t know what the UFC is going to do, but if they say, ‘Hey, you’re next,’ I don’t know that Sean has much in terms of reasons how he can complain to the organization about how they’re wrong.”

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For more on the card, visit MMA Junkie’s event hub for UFC 308.

Video: Should Khamzat Chimaev leapfrog Sean Strickland for a title shot after UFC 308?

Khamzat Chimaev entered the chat in a big way at UFC 308. Is he up next for a title shot? We discuss on “Spinning Back Clique.”

The UFC middleweight title picture just got more interesting with [autotag]Khamzat Chimaev[/autotag]’s latest win.

This past Saturday, Chimaev crushed former champion Robert Whittaker by first-round submission in the co-main event of UFC 308. Chimaev not only kept his undefeated record, but he also re-established himself as a top contender in the division.

However, even though champion Dricus Du Plessis has yet to be booked for his second title defense, UFC CEO Dana White has publicly said that Sean Strickland is up next for a crack at the belt. But will he end up getting the shot following Chimaev’s latest impressive win?

MMA Junkie’s Brian “Goze” Garcia, Dan Tom, Danny Segura, and host “Gorgeous” George discuss Chimaev’s big win over Whittaker and whether it was enough to leapfrog Strickland.

Watch their discussion in the video above, and don’t miss this week’s complete episode of “Spinning Back Clique” below on YouTube.

https://youtube.com/live/h6-QMNMPZ9A

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Bellator champ Johnny Eblen considers himself, UFC’s Sean Strickland top MMA middleweights

Bellator champ Johnny Eblen dubs himself and former UFC champ Sean Strickland as the best middleweights in the world.

RIYADH, Saudi Arabia – Bellator champion [autotag]Johnny Eblen[/autotag] dubs himself and former UFC champion [autotag]Sean Strickland[/autotag] the best middleweights in the world.

Eblen (15-0) defends his title against Fabian Edwards (13-3) in a rematch at Saturday’s PFL: Battle of the Giants main card (DAZN, ESPN+) at The Mayadeen. Eblen is undefeated in his professional MMA career, with his most recent four wins coming over Gegard Mousasi, Anatoly Tokov, Edwards, and Impa Kasanganay. Meanwhile, Strickland has won four of his past five fights, including a title win over Israel Adesanya.

Having trained with Strickland at Xtreme Couture, Eblen spoke highly of the former UFC champ.

“I’m going to have to go with my boy Sean Strickland,” Eblen told MMA Junkie and other reporters at Wednesday’s media day. “Every time I go out and train with him in Vegas, it’s tough rounds. He gets me sometimes, and I get him sometimes.

“I think truly we’re the best middleweights in the world. The fact that I get to train with him, and we happen to be in different promotions right now is kind of cool. And that we get to train together, and also we’re both making good money.”

Eblen knocked out Edwards in the third round of their first title meeting in September 2023. The judges were split on the scorecards prior to the knockout, with one judge having Edwards up 2-0, one judge having Eblen up 2-0, and the third judge having it tied 1-1 heading into the third.

This time, Eblen wants to make sure he leaves no doubt that he’s the better fighter.

“I think I dominate every single minute of every single round,” Eblen said. “Whether I get a finish in the first or the fifth, it doesn’t really matter. I’m prepared for everything he’s going to throw at me. I don’t think he’s prepared for everything I’m going to throw at him.”

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For more on the card, visit MMA Junkie’s event hub for PFL: Battle of the Giants.

Video: ‘Inside Look’ at Xtreme Couture with coach Eric Nicksick

Eric Nicksick gives us an all-access pass to Xtreme Couture, the Las Vegas-based gym that’s housed former UFC champions and more.

LAS VEGAS – After almost three years and two high-profile boxing matches, former UFC heavyweight champion [autotag]Francis Ngannou[/autotag] makes his long-awaited return to mixed martial arts Saturday when he takes on reigning PFL heavyweight champ Renan Ferreira in the main event of the promotion’s “Battle of the Giants” (ESPN+, pay-per-view).

Before Ngannou steps inside the cage, we take an “Inside Look” at Xtreme Couture with Ngannou’s longtime head coach, [autotag]Eric Nicksick[/autotag], who gave us an all-access pass to the gym that UFC legend [autotag]Randy Couture[/autotag] founded in 2007. The gym has served as the home base for Ngannou, former UFC champions [autotag]Sean Strickland[/autotag] and [autotag]Miesha Tate[/autotag], as well as a host of more big names from the UFC, PFL and Bellator.

“There’s something about this gym and what happens inside these walls that builds character, builds men, turns people into better individuals,” Nicksick said. “That’s always what has kept me here at Xtreme and why I love this place so much.”

You can watch the full video above and on our YouTube channel.

Dana White confirms Sean Strickland next for Dricus Du Plessis, details hurdles with UFC Africa

It appears the UFC is struggling to break into Africa. Dana White explains why.

LAS VEGAS – It appears the UFC is facing some hurdles in its attempt to break into Africa.

[autotag]Dana White[/autotag] was hoping South African UFC middleweight champion [autotag]Dricus Du Plessis[/autotag]’ next title defense would be at home, but he doesn’t think it’s currently feasible. White did, however, confirm that a rematch with [autotag]Sean Strickland[/autotag] is next – even though Du Plessis’ head coach, Morne Visser, dismissed Strickland.

White broke down the obstacles the UFC is currently facing in trying to bring an event to Africa for the first time.

“Yeah, so you know how bad I want this,” White said Tuesday during the Dana White’s Contender Series 75 post-fight news conference at the UFC Apex. “I’ve been trying to get this thing done. The arena situation there is tough. It’s tough to pull off. That’s been the challenge with Africa as a whole, so we’re trying to figure it out. The place we would have to do it at is outdoors, and you know how I feel about that.

“I’ve been trying to figure out the weather and one of the big things that I’ve been hearing out there is wind is a big problem. We’ve done it a couple times, but anything that can affect the outcome of the fight makes me not even want to try. So, you know, and it’s anything from wind, rain, bugs. I mean, too much humidity. A lot of things can interfere with the fight.”

Du Plessis (22-2 MMA, 8-0 UFC) dethroned Strickland (29-6 MMA, 16-6 UFC) by split decision to become middleweight champion at UFC 297 in January. Since then, Strickland rebounded with a win over Paulo Costa at UFC 302, and Du Plessis retained his title with a submission of Israel Adesanya at UFC 305.

Visser said the plan is for Du Plessis’ next title defense to take place February in Sydney.

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Dricus Du Plessis’ coach says next fight will be February in Sydney – but not vs. Sean Strickland

Dricus Du Plessis’ coach rules Sean Strickland out of the title race.

[autotag]Dricus Du Plessis[/autotag]’ coach rules [autotag]Sean Strickland[/autotag] out of the title race.

Strickland (29-6 MMA, 16-6 UFC) lost his title to Du Plessis by split decision at UFC 297 in January – a fight he’s adamant he won. Strickland then rebounded with a decision win over Paulo Costa at UFC 302 in June, and said he won’t fight again unless it’s for a title.

Du Plessis (22-2 MMA, 8-0 UFC) submitted Israel Adesanya to notch his first title defense at UFC 305 in August. His coach Morne Visser revealed that the plan is to return February in Sydney, but not against Strickland. He thinks if Robert Whittaker gets past Khamzat Chimaev Oct. 26 at UFC 308, he’s next.

“I had a conversation actually yesterday with Dricus, and I said to him, ‘There’s only one thing for certain at this stage, only one thing, and that’s that we’ve got to be ready to fight in Sydney in February,'” Visser told Submission Radio. “My opinion is Sean’s overselling it.

“He’s just had one win after Dricus and that was against Costa. Whittaker had two, and I think he’s going to go for No. 3 now. So I think my honest opinion is that next for us in line will be Whittaker in Sydney in February. I think he’s going to beat Khamzat, and I honestly think that they’re going to give him the shot.”

If Chimaev remains unbeaten against Whittaker, then Visser says that could be a potential fight for Du Plessis, but likely at a different date.

“Even if you think about it, that there’s even a slight possibility that if Khamzat beats Rob, that Dricus has fought and beaten Sean and Rob,” Visser said. “So if Khamzat beats Rob, I think they’re going to play their cards a little bit different and we’re going to fight Khamzat later. But so far, the only thing that’s confirmed is we will be fighting in February in Sydney.”

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Israel Adesanya ‘definitely’ wants eventual rematch vs. Sean Strickland: ‘That fight was not me’

Israel Adesanya wants to eventually get a rematch with Sean Strickland regardless of UFC championship status.

Title on the line or not, [autotag]Israel Adesanya[/autotag] wants to set the record straight with [autotag]Sean Strickland[/autotag].

Adesanya (24-4 MMA, 13-4 UFC) lost his middleweight belt in shocking fashion to Strickland back in 2023, and hasn’t been able to rematch him since. When the former champ got the opportunity to win his title back in August, it came against Dricus Du Plessis, as he had taken the belt from Strickland months prior.

Well, looking to continue fighting after his failed attempt to recapture the title, Adesanya wants to get his hands on Strickland before it’s all said and done.

“Strickland, definitely. That fight was not me,” Adesanya said on the JRE MMA Show. “Again, I don’t make excuses … (Dave Chappelle) said something like, ‘When it’s your time, you have to know and be humble enough when it’s someone else’s.’ That was just his week, and his, and everything. So it’s his time, let him have it, but I definitely know what I can do.

“I took his best shots, and I just know I can take this guy. I know what I can do. Not similar to the Pereira one where I was winning, but this one, I definitely know what I can do with this guy.”

Adesanya is convinced that his best version beats Strickland’s best version. He just didn’t show up when they met in 2023.

As of now, Strickland has yet to be officially booked for a fight, but it’s expected that he rematches Du Plessis next. Depending on the result, the potential rematch with Strickland could be very close or far away for Adesanya.

“We’ll see what happens with him and DDP,” Adesanya said. “He could win, beat him, it was close (the first time). That was a rough fight. We’ll see. We’ll see what happens in that fight. Look, I kind of like the feeling of not knowing because sometimes people ask, ‘Who are you going to fight next? When are you going to fight next?’ I don’t know. I’m just chilling. I’m just going to keep training.”

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Khalil Rountree: Ex-UFC champ Sean Strickland apologized for being a ‘dumbass’ when he started beef

It appears the beef between Khalil Rountree and Sean Strickland is over – at least on Rountree’s side.

SALT LAKE CITY – It appears the beef between [autotag]Khalil Rountree[/autotag] and [autotag]Sean Strickland[/autotag] is over – at least from Rountree’s side.

Rountree (14-5 MMA, 9-5 UFC) challenges light heavyweight champion Alex Pereira (11-2 MMA, 8-1 UFC) in Saturday’s UFC 307 (pay-per-view, ESPNews, ESPN+) headliner at Delta Center in Salt Lake City.

Strickland is in Salt Lake City to help Pereira prep for Rountree, whom he’s never been fond of. His issue with him started in 2022 when he went off on Rountree for crying during one of his post-fight scrums. Rountree downplayed his comments, claiming he didn’t know who Strickland was.

Rountree says Strickland approached him a couple of months ago to apologize, but that didn’t stop the former UFC middleweight champion from recently going off on Rountree again, calling him a “liberal c*ck beta male,” as well as accusing him of being in a cult.

“Honestly, the last interaction that I had with Sean Strickland was at the UFC PI. It was literally the day after Dan Ige stepped in for that fight on like three hours, four hours’ notice, or something like that,” Rountree told MMA Junkie and other reporters at Wednesday’s UFC 307 media day. “Out of the blue, Sean Strickland came up to me. He approached me, and he just said, like, ‘Khalil, I apologize. I’m a dumbass. I actually kind of like you. I think you’re liberal, but overall, I like you’ or ‘I respect you,’ something along those lines.

“So what I took it as is, almost like squashing whatever beef, or just saying, like, ‘Look dude, I am who I am. I’m going to say what I’m going to say, but I’m coming here to personally shake your hand, tell you I think you’re a liberal to a certain level, I respect you.’ It was like that. So I took it as like, OK, you’re coming here to kind of make the peace. I left it at that. So now, anything moving forward, anything that’s said, I’ve got that in my memory bank, so I know that there’s really no issue. It’s really just talk, and I won’t concern myself with it.”

Strickland is expected to get his desired title-fight rematch with UFC middleweight champion Dricus Du Plessis, who edged him out by split decision in their first fight in January,

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For more on the card, visit MMA Junkie’s event hub for UFC 307.

Israel Adesanya thinks ‘stubborn’ UFC champ Dricus Du Plessis beats Sean Strickland again

Israel Adesanya sees UFC middleweight champion Dricus Du Plessis’ relentlessness helping him prevail against Sean Strickland.

[autotag]Israel Adesanya[/autotag] sees UFC middleweight champion [autotag]Dricus Du Plessis[/autotag]’ relentlessness helping him prevail against [autotag]Sean Strickland[/autotag].

Du Plessis (22-2 MMA, 8-0 UFC) is expected to defend his title against Strickland (29-6 MMA, 16-6 UFC) next – the man he dethroned by split decision at UFC 297 to claim the belt. Du Plessis notched his first title defense when he submitted Adesanya in the fourth round at UFC 305. Adesanya, who is coming off back-to-back title losses to Strickland and Du Plessis, shed light on how he thinks a rematch between Du Plessis and Strickland would go.

“They already fought before. I fought both of them,” Adesanya said on “The Adam Carolla Show” “I think Du Plessis might get it done again. He’s just so weird. The way he fights is awkward. He’s stubborn. No matter how tired he gets, he’ll still just throw, just to stop you in your tracks or stop you from doing what you’re doing. And he’ll just throw and hope. It wouldn’t really land, but it would stop what you’re trying to progress.”

Adesanya (24-4 MMA, 13-4 UFC) provided an update on his future. He plans on competing soon and will wait to see how the middleweight division shakes out in the next couple of months.

In his first middleweight title reign, Adesanya notched five title defenses until he ran into Alex Pereira at UFC 281. He was able to reclaim his belt with a knockout of Pereira at UFC 287 before dropping two straight to Strickland and Du Plessis.

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