Sean Strickland’s latest loss is not just costing him in the rankings it is also drawing heat from fellow fighters. After suffering a tough decision defeat against Dricus Du Plessis at UFC 312 the former middleweight champ is now facing sharp criticism from Luke Rockhold.
Rockhold Questions Strickland’s Toughness
Strickland who won the title in August 2023 by upsetting Israel Adesanya has now lost two of his last three fights. His rematch with Du Plessis did not go his way as the South African fighter dominated the bout and even left Strickland with a badly broken nose. Despite Strickland’s reputation for talking a big game Rockhold did not see the toughness to back it up inside the cage.
“If someone breaks your nose you gotta fight like a fcking man and sack up,” Rockhold said “This motherfcker talks such a big game and then he btches out and basically quits in a fight after he breaks his nose.”
Strickland has long been known for his aggressive pre fight talk often promising brutal wars inside the Octagon. But according to Rockhold when the real battle arrived Strickland did not respond like a warrior.
“When does [Strickland] ever fcking put his ass on the line and fcking bite down and really go for it through a whole process of a fight not just the last ten seconds of a round Look at him out there.” Rockhold added
Strickland’s fight style has been a topic of debate with some believing he plays it too safe in the cage. Even MMA legend Demetrious Johnson has suggested the former champ needs to adjust his approach after back to back losses to Du Plessis. Whether Strickland takes that advice or keeps his style unchanged remains to be seen.
One thing is certain Rockhold and others in the MMA world will not be letting him off the hook easily.
