Sean Strickland, the former UFC middleweight champion, is gearing up for a crucial fight against Anthony Hernandez at UFC Fight Night 267 next week. This matchup represents a pivotal moment for Strickland, as a victory could place him back in contention for the middleweight title. The topic of Strickland’s retirement timeline also surfaced ahead of this event, offering rare insight into his future beyond the octagon.
Strickland’s last appearance came at UFC 312, where he attempted to regain the middleweight title but was defeated by Dricus du Plessis. Prior to that, Strickland lost the belt to Du Plessis at UFC 297 and managed a win over Paulo Costa to earn another shot at the championship. As he trains for his upcoming fight, Strickland shared his thoughts on how much longer he sees himself competing professionally.
Insights into Strickland’s Retirement Timeline
In a conversation with ESPN, Strickland reflected on competitor Alexander Volkanovski, who recently secured a victory at UFC 325 despite being 37 years old. Volkanovski’s example highlights longevity in the sport, but Strickland’s outlook is different. The American fighter stated that while he loves fighting, he is aware of his own limits and has a clear timeline for retirement. Approaching 35, Strickland estimated he has about three years left in his fighting career, which he expects will include numerous bouts.
“I mean Volk just won, what is Volk, 37, 38? I love fighting. It’s kind of hard. Like, what would I do? I’m turning 35 and I would say I have three years in me, and that’s a lot of f***** fights.”
Strickland also revealed that retirement is an option he has considered seriously. Financially prepared to step away now, he admitted uncertainty about how he would fill his days without fighting.
“I could probably retire now if I wanted to. I’m smart with my finances, but what do you do all day? Just wake up?”
Strickland’s Injury Impact on UFC 312 Rematch with Du Plessis
Strickland has been candid about the circumstances surrounding his recent loss to Dricus du Plessis at UFC 312. Speaking with Jon-Bernard Kairouz, he disclosed that he was recovering from a shoulder injury sustained in a motocross accident involving Axell Hodges prior to accepting the rematch. He described the pressure from UFC officials to compete despite not feeling fully prepared, indicating that saying no was not an option.
“Before the Dricus fight, I was f**king riding with [motocross rider] Axell Hodges and I broke my shoulder. So I was in Colombia getting stem cells on my shoulder, and they hit me up for the fight and the thing with the UFC, you don’t say no. They’re our p*mps. You don’t say no to the masters. So I was kind of backed up into a corner taking that fight.”
Following that bout, Strickland has taken considerable time off to let his body recover. This rest period is expected to improve his physical condition heading into the fight with Anthony Hernandez.
What Lies Ahead for Sean Strickland and His Career
As Strickland prepares to step into the octagon at UFC Fight Night 267, the outcome could shape the final chapters of his career. Should he win, the possibility of returning to title contention would extend his time in the sport. However, his clear acknowledgment of an approaching retirement timeline signals a thoughtful approach to the demanding nature of mixed martial arts. Fans and analysts alike will watch closely to see how ‘Tarzan’ performs and whether he will continue competing beyond the next few years he anticipates.
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