Sean Strickland’s recent struggles in the UFC spotlight have drawn criticism from top MMA figures who believe his energy misplacement is hindering his quest for middleweight glory. The former UFC Middleweight Champion, known for his fiery personality, won the title in September 2023 by defeating Israel Adesanya, but recent fights, including a loss to Dricus du Plessis, have raised questions about his focus and priorities inside the Octagon.
Din Thomas Highlights Strickland’s Off-Cage Distractions as a Barrier
Din Thomas, a respected MMA coach and analyst, shared his thoughts on Strickland’s career during a discussion on Daniel Cormier’s YouTube channel. Thomas believes Strickland’s confrontations outside of professional fighting are draining energy that should be reserved for major UFC bouts. According to Thomas, if Strickland focused exclusively on top contenders rather than external conflicts, his performance and results would improve significantly.
The stories you hear about Sean Strickland from every high-level guy that I know that’s ever worked with him said that he’s the best guy in the room,
Thomas said on Daniel Cormier’s YouTube channel.
I believe that he could possibly be the best 185-pound fighter in the world right now if he put his energy into actually fighting in the big fights. If he put the same amount of energy that he does on fighting YouTubers and having beef with other people, if he put that energy into fighting the top contenders in the big fights, he would be winning.
—Din Thomas, MMA Coach and UFC Analyst
Cormier brought up an incident where Strickland reacted violently after a fighter taunted him following a teammate’s victory, highlighting how his aggression spills beyond sanctioned bouts. Thomas questioned why Strickland does not channel this intensity into pivotal fights, emphasizing the wasted potential in these distractions.
Strickland’s Path Forward in UFC Middleweight Division
Strickland’s loss to Dricus du Plessis, especially in their one-sided rematch, has left his standing uncertain in the middleweight division. The caution from mentors like Din Thomas suggests that unless Strickland reassesses how and where he expends his energy, reclaiming the middleweight championship could continue to elude him. By concentrating on in-cage performance rather than outside conflicts, Strickland may restore his position among the elite fighters in the UFC.
Our Reader’s Queries
Q. Is Sean Strickland a millionaire?
A. Sean Strickland shared that his current net worth is around $4 million in cash. He also talked about his earnings before he retires from the UFC.