Sean Strickland remains confident despite being sidelined for a year since his loss to Dricus du Plessis in Sydney. The former UFC middleweight champion last fought during their rematch at UFC 312, where he was defeated, pushing him out of title contention. Strickland’s return has also been delayed due to a suspension after an incident at a regional event while assisting a teammate in the corner. He is set to make his comeback in the Octagon next weekend in Houston, believing a win will earn him a chance to face the current champion.
Strickland Confident He’s the Only Contender Who Can Defeat Khamzat Chimaev
At UFC Houston, Sean Strickland will face Anthony Hernandez, as both fighters compete to become the next potential challenger to Khamzat Chimaev’s unbeaten reign. Chimaev secured the middleweight title by decisively defeating Dricus du Plessis at UFC 319, and many experts view him as a nearly untouchable champion at 185 pounds. However, Strickland expressed his belief that he stands apart from the other contenders as Chimaev’s most likely conqueror.
That’d be a big fight. I think I’m probably the only one that could beat Chimaev,
Strickland told ESPN.
Strickland also suggested that his former training partner, nicknamed ‘Fluffy,’ possesses wrestling skills superior to Chimaev’s over five rounds. He criticized the UFC’s handling of Chimaev’s fight schedule and alluded to Chimaev’s close association with a figure he described as a warlord.
It’s kind of weird what the UFC did with Chimaev. You brought a guy that fights once a year — the guy doesn’t need to fight. He’s best friends with a warlord,
Strickland added.
Former Opponent Predicts Challenges for Strickland in His UFC Return
Despite Strickland eyeing a path to reclaim a middleweight title and hand Chimaev his first loss, not all experts share his optimism. Krzysztof Jotko, a former UFC fighter who faced Strickland, forecasted a difficult comeback against Anthony Hernandez. Jotko pointed out Hernandez’s well-rounded skills, including strong wrestling and quick submission attacks, warning that Strickland faces a significant challenge.
Hernandez is a really, really dangerous guy. He can wrestle and he has good submissions. He attacks submissions very fast,
Jotko remarked.
While acknowledging Strickland’s boxing strengths and stand-up fighting style, Jotko expressed doubts about Strickland’s current condition due to his career longevity and suggested his best days might be behind him.
In my opinion, Strickland’s gonna go a little bit down from his shape, I think so. Maybe I’m wrong but I think Strickland has his big fights behind him already,
he added.
Anticipating the Impact of Strickland’s Upcoming Fight
Sean Strickland’s return at UFC Houston is poised to be a significant moment for his career trajectory. A decisive win over Hernandez could cement his status as an immediate contender, potentially setting the stage for an eagerly awaited clash with reigning champion Khamzat Chimaev. The stakes are high as the middleweight division awaits to see if Strickland can overcome the doubts cast by former rivals and experts, and challenge Chimaev’s undefeated record.
The fight will not only test Strickland’s readiness after a lengthy hiatus but could also reshape the middleweight landscape depending on the outcome. Fans and analysts will be closely watching how this matchup influences the title picture and the future of the division.
