In a surprising turn of events, Sean “Tarzan” Strickland, the reigning UFC middleweight champion, reveals he hasn’t watched his monumental victory against Israel Adesanya and doesn’t indulge in viewing his opponents’ fights. Strickland, crowned MMA Fighting’s Fighter of the Year for his exceptional performance in 2023, is set to defend his title against Dricus Du Plessis at UFC 297 this Saturday.
Morning Report: Sean Strickland says he hasn’t watched Israel Adesanya win, doesn’t watch opponents’ fights https://t.co/Ca6y3VMXqv
— MMA Fighting (@MMAFighting) January 17, 2024
Strickland’s remarkable journey took an unexpected turn in 2023, going from a potential gatekeeper to the UFC middleweight throne. With back-to-back losses in 2022, he defied the odds by winning three consecutive bouts, culminating in his impressive victory over Adesanya in Sydney, Australia.
In a candid revelation to ESPN, Strickland admits to avoiding watching his own fights due to low self-esteem. He shares, “It just kind of builds up in me, and I’m like, ‘You f*** suck. You’re a f** loser, you shouldn’t have won that fight. You f*** can.’ So, I just ignore it.”
Despite the champion’s reluctance to revisit past victories, the MMA community eagerly anticipates his first title defense against the formidable Du Plessis. Strickland, 32, who formerly fought at welterweight, has established himself as a force at 185 pounds, even venturing into light heavyweight last year.
Strickland’s unique approach to fight preparation is highlighted as he emphasizes keeping his body in peak condition and entrusting the outcome to a higher power. He nonchalantly states, “At the end of the day, it’s in the hands of God. No matter what I do, no matter how much I think about it, it ain’t changing. Enjoy life, go eat a f**** cheeseburger, be happy. Just when it comes, it comes.”
The upcoming showdown with Du Plessis has evolved into a captivating narrative, fueled by the fighters’ initial encounters and a series of events leading up to the bout. While acknowledging Du Plessis as an awkward and tough opponent, Strickland clarifies that the fight isn’t personal, despite some heated comments exchanged.
“He’s f*** awkward,” Strickland remarks. “It’s like when you’re that level of awkward, you just do weird s* and it works. He’s tough, he fights hard, I mean f*. His coach always keeps him hard, keeps him ready (laughs). He’s just f*** awkward, dude.”
Strickland’s unique personality shines through as he expresses both admiration and a hint of caution towards Du Plessis. Despite the apparent tension, he reveals a surprising fondness for his opponent, showcasing the complexity of emotions leading up to the clash.
“I actually dearly like Dricus, but you just like — here’s the thing, man … You know who I am. I will f*** kill you. I love my life, I don’t want to go to prison, and I don’t want to die, but I’m the one guy who is okay throwing away my life,” Strickland boldly states. “One day, I hope if the opportunity presents itself, I f** man up and I do it. We’re gonna have this interview and we’re gonna all look back at it like, ‘Oh yeah, Sean wasn’t f** joking. He really f*** threw away his life.’ It’s like, I’m the one person — I’m okay dying as long as you die with me.”
As the anticipation builds for UFC 297, Strickland’s unconventional approach, coupled with his unfiltered emotions, adds a layer of intrigue to this middleweight clash. Whether it’s his aversion to watching fights or his willingness to throw caution to the wind, Sean “Tarzan” Strickland continues to be an enigmatic figure in the world of MMA, leaving fans on the edge of their seats as he steps into the octagon once again.
