Sean Strickland, former UFC middleweight champion, shared his thoughts on potential fights with the current title holder in his division Khamzat Chimaev and the leader of the welterweight category Islam Makhachev. The American, known for his straightforwardness, noted that he is well acquainted with the style of Chechen and Dagestani fighters thanks to many years of joint training.
According to Strickland, Dagestani and Chechen wrestling possess unique endurance: the opponent "does not get tired at all, does not stop, and does not give up." This creates psychological pressure — a thought arises in the head that the opponent is superhumanly resilient. However, the American is confident: if you continue to persistently resist, such fighters begin to "break down."
Strickland emphasized that the unusual fighting style of Caucasian athletes can be a serious test for those who have never encountered it in sparring. "If you haven't experienced it yourself, it will definitely be unfamiliar to you," he stated in an interview with podcaster John Bernardo.
Recall that on February 21, Strickland will return to the octagon: he is expected to face compatriot Anthony Hernandez at the UFC tournament in Houston.
