Most fans wrote off Sean Strickland’s chances when it was announced that he would challenge Israel Adesanya for the Middleweight title at UFC 293. But he left the whole MMA world shell-shocked when he beat the dominant champion convincingly. The brutally candid American pulled off one of the greatest upsets in MMA history.
Since then, Strickland has continued to entertain fans with his antics outside the octagon. Within a few days of capturing the coveted Middleweight belt, Strickland posted a video saying that he had broken it. He proceeded to fix it with some duct tape and quipped that it was actually an improvement.
Sometime later, a video of Strickland surfaced where he was seen chasing a man with a flamethrower. The man at the receiving end of the prank is Hans Molenkamp. The two are seen laughing in the video and Molenkamp comically captioned the video saying, “I love the smell of burnt hair in the morning“.
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Strickland shows no signs of mellowing, and his most recent video is proof. He starts off by saying that his girlfriend, KJ, comes from a long line of wealthy business owners. He then makes a hilarious comparison by saying that he comes from a “Lineage” of truck drivers and bartenders who probably beat their wives.
For those who are unaware, Strickland has admitted that he comes from poverty. His father was an abusive alcoholic who used to beat his mother. While the truth is saddening, it was clear that he meant it in jest. Both the other men in the video couldn’t help but burst out laughing upon hearing what he said.
UFC middleweight champion Sean Strickland on his lineage: pic.twitter.com/YJSZT6BJrV
— ᴍᴍᴀ ᴍᴀʀᴄᴜs 🏝️ (@mmamarcuss) September 18, 2023
One fan expressed his appreciation for his honesty by commenting, “He is too real“. Another heaped high praise on him by saying, “This guy isn’t human. He is the GOAT“. The fan who posted this video pointed out the hysterical caption on Strickland’s t-shirt, saying, “What a shirt also“.
As the comments show, fans are warming up to the newly crowned Middleweight King. Strickland is notorious for being a straight shooter, his revelation of his family background is just one example. And while he may lack PR skills, Strickland earned the respect of many with his win over Adesanya on short notice. The explicit tagline on his t-shirt shows that he has not conformed to the traditional, poised mold of a champion.
Sean Strickland overcame a troubled past to become a champion
While Strickland regularly pokes fun at his roots, the trauma he has surmounted is no laughing matter. Strickland laid bare the fact that his father was an abusive alcoholic who later developed a drug addiction. He went on to say that his mother used him as a shield against his father’s beatings. He even revealed that his grandfather was a racist, and he was a Neo-Nazi in his teens.
Strickland explains the extent to which he hated his dad. One day his father was lying on a bed with a gun in his hand, contemplating suicide. Strickland said that his father should have done it, given that he’s a drug addict whose wife left him. He then took the gun, cocked it, and gave it back to his father, telling him that he should put it to his head and pull the trigger.
He likened it to “putting the dog down” instead of continuing to lead a miserable existence. While what transpired is disturbing, it is remarkable that Strickland chose to use it to make a positive impact.
What’s even more distressing is the story of what Strickland’s father said to him when he was dying of cancer. When he was on his deathbed, Strickland’s father admitted that he had mistreated him and his mother. He then asked for his forgiveness and said at least he hadn’t m*lested him.
Strickland attributes martial arts to saving him from spiraling down a dark path. The journey from his bleak youth to the champion he is today is incredibly inspiring. And despite all the criticism he has endured, the gratitude that he shows towards his fans is truly heartening.