Sean ‘Tarzan’ Strickland, hailing from Anaheim, California, rose to fame in the MMA world as a former UFC middleweight champion. Overcoming a difficult childhood marked by adversity, Strickland began his professional journey in 2008 with King of the Cage, where he remained undefeated with a perfect 9-0 record. His crowning moment came in December 2012 when he secured the King of the Cage Middleweight Championship by defeating Josh Bryant via a hard-fought split decision at KOTC: Unification.
Transitioning to the UFC in 2014, Strickland continued to showcase his talent, earning notable victories and amassing a record of 15 wins and 5 losses. His hard work paid off when he was awarded a title shot against Israel Adesanya at UFC 293, where he defied the odds to claim the middleweight championship with a convincing unanimous decision win.
However, his reign was short-lived as he faced a razor-close split-decision defeat in his first title defense against Dricus du Plessis at UFC 297 in January 2024. Undeterred, Strickland gears up for his next challenge against the 7th-ranked Brazilian middleweight Paulo Costa at UFC 302 on June 1, 2024.
Age Sean Strickland Started MMA Training
Sean Strickland started MMA training when he was just 14 years old. Just three years later, he would go on to make his professional MMA debut in 2008 against Tyler Pottett. Strickland emerged victorious in this fight via submission in the 2nd round.
Also Read: Sean Strickland's UFC Record
Is Sean Strickland a black belt?
Yes, Sean Strickland holds a black belt in Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu. However, the former middleweight champion has not been shy about his controversial views on the grappling martial arts. In late 2023, Strickland went viral in the MMA community for sharing a video where he discarded his black belt in the trash, signaling his strong disapproval of Brazilian jiu-jitsu.
Is Sean Strickland a boxer?
Sean Strickland utilizes a boxing-heavy fighting style in MMA. He is often regarded as the best boxer in the middleweight division, primarily due to his mastery of the jab and the right cross. While Sean Strickland has yet to step into the professional boxing ring, he has expressed interest in entering the realm of boxing competition, particularly against figures like Jake Paul. However, he has emphasized that his participation would hinge on the terms of his UFC contract.
FAQs On When did Sean Strickland start training
A. Sean Strickland began his MMA training at 14 years old.
A. Sean Strickland is coached by Erik Nicksick.
A. Sean Strickland has compiled a UFC record of 15 wins and 6 losses (15-6-0).
A. Sean Strickland hails from Anaheim, California but currently resides in Las Vegas, Nevada.
A. Sean Strickland maintains a record of 28 wins and 6 losses (28-6-0).
A. Sean Strickland is 33 years old as of May 2024.
