In a shocking revelation, Sean Strickland claims the UFC forced his hand in a rematch he wasn't prepared for. Strickland, a seasoned MMA fighter, recently opened up about his experience leading up to the highly anticipated UFC 312 event. But was it a fair fight?
Strickland, with a record of 29-7 in MMA and 16-7 in the UFC, had previously lost his middleweight title to Dricus Du Plessis at UFC 297. He bounced back with a victory over Paulo Costa, securing a title-fight rematch against Du Plessis at UFC 312. However, this time, the outcome was even more devastating for Strickland.
Here's the controversial part: Strickland alleges he was coerced into the rematch. In an interview, he revealed, 'I had a broken shoulder from riding motorcycles with Axell Hodges before the fight, and I was in Colombia for treatment. The UFC approached me for the rematch, and let's be real, you can't say no to them.'
Strickland's words paint a picture of a fighter backed into a corner, feeling compelled to accept the fight despite his injury. He continued, 'They hold the power, and fighters often have little choice. But it's been a blessing in disguise; this break has allowed my body to heal.'
As Strickland prepares for his upcoming bout against Anthony Hernandez (15-2 MMA, 9-2 UFC) at UFC Fight Night 267 on February 21st, one can't help but wonder: How often do fighters face such dilemmas? Is the pressure to perform in the octagon sometimes too much to bear? Share your thoughts below!
