"Looks happy to be there" - Fans and Nina-Marie Daniele react to Sean Strickland training with Alex Pereira before a possible Dricus du Plessis bout

One of the most interesting friendships in MMA today is the budding brotherhood between Sean Strickland and Alex Pereira. And no, this is not the kind of bro-mance with the two tickling each other and telling dad jokes. This is the kind of bond that produces results inside the octagon through blood and sweat in the gym.

What makes it interesting is the fact that the two started out as foes, with 'Poatan' viciously knocking out 'Tarzan' in 2022. Despite this, Strickland did what most didn't expect and started training with Pereira, who eventually helped him win the UFC middleweight title last year.

Now, Strickland is preparing for a possible second shot at his division's throne againt Dricus du Plessis. Pereira, who now holds the UFC light-heavyweight title, is once again working with the American fighter, as seen in thr Instagram post below:

Fans, pundits, and fellow fighters are loving this friendship, with MMA journalist Nina-Marie Daniele saying:

"The Bromance we didn’t know we needed! 🗿🤝🇺🇸"

Meanwhile, @devonrabon said:

"Sean just looks happy to be there"

Comments on the photo. [Image courtesy: @stricklandmma on Instagram]

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More comments on Sean Strickland's photo. [Image courtesy: @stricklandmma on Instagram]

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Sean Strickland working with Alex Pereira ahead of UFC 307

While Alex Pereira undoubtedly helped Sean Strickland win his first UFC title, Strickland is now returning the favor by helping 'Poatan' defend his. 'Tarzan' is currently lending his talents to help prepare Pereira against Khalil Rountree Jr at UFC 307.

Rountree is on a five-fight winning streak, with four KOs and three Performance of the Night bonuses. At the moment, the American striker is ranked no. 8 in the UFC middleweight rankings, which raised some eyebrows once the fight was made official.

Despite this, Rountree is not fazed by all the doubters and had a message to his critics and the champion in an interview with MMA Fighting:

''I got a message for Alex, and that’s, ‘See you in October.' Everybody else? Nothing... Watch me in October.”

Rountree is no stranger to standing and trading with champion kickboxers like Pereira, as he extensively trains in the world-renowned gym Tiger Muay Thai gym in Thailand. He also has a KO win over former K-1 and Glory kickboxing world champion Gokhan Saki back in 2018 - a man with similar kickboxing accolade as 'Poatan'.

Watch Khalil Rountree Jr's message to Alex Pereira here (3:56):