Sean Thomas Strickland (born February 27, 1991) is an American professional mixed martial artist. He currently competes in the Middleweight division of the UFC, where he is the current and two-time UFC Middleweight Champion.
๐ Early Life and Background
Strickland grew up in Corona, California, in a household with a physically and mentally abusive father. During his early childhood, he attacked his father with a guitar to defend his mother, leading to his fatherโs brief arrest.
In his adolescence, he developed a close relationship with his grandfather, who exposed him to neo-Nazi ideology. In ninth grade, he was expelled for perpetrating a hate crime; afterward, his mother brought him to an MMA gym to help him cope.
โ๏ธ Professional Debut and Early Career
Strickland made his professional debut in 2008 for the King of the Cage promotion. He compiled an undefeated record of 9โ0 before winning the King of the Cage Middleweight Championship via split decision on December 9, 2012.
He successfully defended his title three times before being signed by the UFC. He made his UFC debut at UFC 171 on March 15, 2014, winning via rear-naked choke submission in the first round.
๐ UFC Middleweight Championship and Title Fights
Strickland faced Israel Adesanya for the UFC Middleweight Championship on September 10, 2023, at UFC 293. He won via unanimous decision in a major upset, earning his third Performance of the Night bonus.
He lost his first title defense to Dricus du Plessis via split decision at UFC 297 on January 20, 2024. He later won the title again by defeating Khamzat Chimaev via split decision at UFC 328 on May 9, 2026.
๐ก๏ธ Fighting Style and Defense
Strickland fights in a notably upright, orthodox stance and is distinguished for his defensive striking. He boasts a 60.9% Significant Strike Defense rate, the highest among active middleweight fighters.
Central to his defensive approach is the Philly Shell guard, using the shoulder roll, parrying strikes, and actively checking kicks. Offensively, he prefers boxing, applying pressure by walking forward and using jabs followed by a right cross.
๐ Injuries and Personal Life
In December 2018, Strickland was hit by a car while riding a motorcycle in Los Angeles, rendering him unconscious and requiring a knee operation. He has made controversial comments about womenโs rights, calling the decision to grant women the right to vote an error.
In January 2022, he responded to a Twitter question by writing, โIf I had a gay son I would think I failed as a man.โ He has also criticized Canadian prime minister Justin Trudeau and Bud Lightโs advertising campaign featuring transgender influencer Dylan Mulvaney.
| Year | Opponent | Event | Result |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2023 | Israel Adesanya | UFC 293 | Win (Unanimous Decision) |
| 2024 | Dricus du Plessis | UFC 297 | Loss (Split Decision) |
| 2024 | Paulo Costa | UFC 302 | Win (Split Decision) |
| 2026 | Khamzat Chimaev | UFC 328 | Win (Split Decision) |