How bad was Sean Strickland's motorcycle accident? Revisiting incident that nearly ended the UFC middleweight champion's MMA career

The recently crowned UFC middleweight champion Sean Strickland was once involved in a motorcycle accident. While Strickland managed to fully recover and return to competition, he was advised against fighting by the doctors.

In December 2018, Strickland was heading home on his motorcycle after a training session when he collided with a van. The accident left him unconscious for hours. When he finally regained consciousness, 'Tarzan' found himself surrounded by doctors and a police officer.

Following the accident, most doctors advised him to stop fighting. However, the doctors at the UFC Performance Institute were supportive and encouraged him on his road to a comeback.

As a result of the accident, Strickland's patella tendon was torn and separated from his knee and he had to get surgery. Even after undergoing surgery to repair his kneecap, his leg was still damaged, and it took a lot of time to get to the point where he could fight again.

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Sean Strickland drew inspiration from fellow MMA fighters to resume fighting

Sean Strickland was met with the accident after his win over Nordine Taleb in October 2018. The unfortunate episode shaved two years off his MMA career and he made his return to competition against Jack Marshman in October 2020.

While speaking to MMA Fighting ahead of the fight, 'Tarzan' discussed his accident and subsequent road to recovery. He took full responsibility for all the trouble he had to face, saying:

“I have nobody else to blame. I was on a motorcycle. I was a f***ng idiot. I did it. So at the end of the day, it’s like I did this to myself. I made my bed and it sucks but you only live once."

He drew inspiration from specially-abled fighter Nick Newell and former UFC middleweight champion Michael Bisping, who continued with his fighting career after losing an eye due to an injury sustained in his fight against Vitor Belfort:

“I mean there’s a guy [Nick Newell] who fights with one f***ing arm and he does it well. [Michael] Bisping won the title with one f***ing eye. I got a leg that works. Not the best but it works. You just can’t be a b***h your whole life. [H/T MMA Fighting]”

Fortunately for Strickland, he recovered fully from the accident. Five years later managed to become the UFC middleweight champion by defeating Israel Adesanya in one of the biggest upsets in the division's history.