Sean Strickland, after a challenging fight at UFC 312 and facing criticism from his coach Eric Nicksick, plans to continue training at Xtreme Couture but with a different corner team, acknowledging his struggles during the fight camp due to injuries and other issues while expressing his enduring passion for fighting and personal growth through the sport.
Sean Strickland’s next fight might see a shift in his coaching team after a turbulent night at UFC 312. The former middleweight champ took to Twitter, sharing a video about his rematch with Dricus du Plessis and comments from Xtreme Couture head coach Eric Nicksick. Nicksick had described Strickland’s performance as "underwhelming" and "uninspiring" on The Ariel Helwani Show. Despite this, Strickland insists they’ll remain friends as he continues training at Xtreme Couture, but it’s unlikely Nicksick will be in his corner again.
"I like Eric," Strickland said in the video. "He’s my friend and will stay that way. But will he be in my corner? Probably not." He highlighted other greats at Xtreme Couture like Nate Pettit and Ray Sefo, who he’d love to have in his corner.
Yet, the entire fight camp was a struggle for Strickland. Excuses? Everyone has them, but they don’t matter. The reason behind the video? Eric’s podcast appearance forced Strickland to explain himself.
Strickland revealed he fought with a broken bone in his arm and battled a staph infection. These issues were mentioned by du Plessis during fight week. The ordeal weighed heavily on him, but he pushed through training, determined not to miss his chance for revenge and to reclaim the title.
"This isn’t an excuse," Strickland admitted. "But that camp was tough. I was in Colombia getting stem cells on a broken bone." He recalled training with Reinier de Ridder when he thought his arm snapped, prompting a trip to Colombia.
Despite these setbacks, Strickland kept pushing through, hoping for a turnaround in the fight. Sadly, it didn’t happen. Throughout camp, despite infections and visa issues, he told himself, "I’m good," even when he wasn’t.
Strickland acknowledges he wasn’t at 100% for the fight but refuses to use it as an excuse now. Even after du Plessis broke his nose multiple times during the match, Strickland wouldn’t quit until the final horn.
"Dricus fought like a man," Strickland conceded. "He broke my nose, but I didn’t stop." Adjusting his nose each time it broke, he kept fighting, knowing everyone has their story—one no one really cares about.
For Strickland, fighting isn’t about titles; it’s about growth and self-discovery. "I don’t fight for belts or because Eric wants to do podcasts," he stated. Before fighting, he struggled with self-esteem and dignity but learned so much through the sport.
The UFC and its fans changed his life profoundly. They’ve helped him grow both inside and outside the ring. "That’s why I fight," he declared passionately. With more fights on his contract, he’s back to the gym, starting fresh from square one—because that’s life.