It’s probably not a good idea to challenge Sean Strickland, even if you’re a Navy SEAL.
Earlier this year, the former middleweight world champion drew the ire of military men and women when he put Navy SEALs on blast, suggesting that not a single one of them could last a week training with him.
“I don’t think there’s one f*cking Navy Seal who could survive a week training with me, I’m kind of sick of seeing it, cause you guys think you’re bad, come train with me for a week, I’ll show you what’s up, I’ll f*cking break you,” Strickland wrote on X.
Over the weekend, one brave SEAL decided to put his skills to the test against the world-class striker while in Vegas for UFC 303. In the video clip, which you can see below courtesy of @HappyPunch on X, Strickland puts an absolute beating on the man identified as Mitch Aguiar.
Sean Strickland putting an absolute beating on a former Navy SEAL in the gym today 😳 pic.twitter.com/EHKDnyGBfv
— Happy Punch (@HappyPunch) July 1, 2024
Strickland later commented on his five-round sparring session with Aguiar and had nothing, but positive things to say about the experience.
“So you guys it finally happened… I sparred a navy seal But I got to know him after the blood and he’s such a great guy,” Strickland wrote. “Everything I hate about special forces guys he’s not.. You’re on of the real ones.. dammit man that wasn’t meant for you. Lol!!!!!!”
So you guys it finally happened… I sparred a navy seal
But I got to know him after the blood and he's such a great guy. Everything I hate about special forces guys he's not..
You're on of the real ones.. dammit man that wasn't meant for you. Lol!!!!!!
— Sean Strickland (@SStricklandMMA) July 1, 2024
Navy SEAL Comments on His Sparring Session with Sean Strickland
Following the release of the video, Aguiar commented online to clear up some misconceptions regarding Strickland’s initial comments about Navy SEALs and his overall experience with one of the best strikers on the planet.
“First off I appreciate everyone’s support. Secondly I think @stricklandmma original remarks/ post were not received or interpreted in the way he intended it to be. Ironically I was one of the few people who knew what he meant by it and agreed with him lol. There was no hostility between us and I knew what I was getting into being a pro fighter myself and also very much aware that there are levels to things and @stricklandmma is at the highest level and one of the best in the world.
“I knew it wasn’t exactly going to be fun for me lol but I figured it would at least be entertaining for people. Sean is a Patriot and has a ton of respect for service members and we share a ton of the same views and beliefs and I’ve always had a ton of respected for him as a fighter and his mindset.”
