Sean Strickland, who had previously gained notoriety for his intensity during sparring sessions, was recently captured on video advising welterweight standout Khamzat Chimaev to take it easy. This unexpected turn of events unfolded during a training session at the renowned Xtreme Couture gym in Las Vegas and the footage was shared by Youcef Hollywood on YouTube.
For some time, Strickland had been the subject of debate in the MMA community due to videos circulating on social media that depicted him knocking out training partners during gym sessions. However, the recent video from Youcef Hollywood presents a different side of Strickland, showcasing his leadership qualities and a more compassionate demeanor.
The video provides viewers with a behind-the-scenes look into the dynamics of elite fighter training when individuals like Khamzat Chimaev and Sean Strickland can be seen addressing Chimaev, affectionately referred to as ‘Borz’, and encouraging him to approach sparring with caution. Strickland’s words to Chimaev were captured in the video:
“He gets a little bit… a little bit… be nice! Khamzat, understand. You’re better than most… you’re better than everybody. Don’t hurt people“.
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This interaction sheds light on the camaraderie and mutual respect that often exist within the MMA community, even among fighters with reputations for their fierce competitiveness. Contrary to Strickland’s portrayal on social media as an intense competitor, the video portrays him as both a congenial individual and a strong leader.
Sean Strickland prioritizes safety and privacy in sparring
Sean Strickland has been the subject of attention due to videos showcasing his intense sparring sessions, some of which resulted in his opponents taking significant damage. One particularly viral clip featured Strickland delivering a head kick that knocked his sparring partner out cold.
Sean Strickland knocks his sparring partner out with a head kick 😳 pic.twitter.com/dRbjFQ5RWJ
— Aqua 🦆 (@AquaMMA___) January 5, 2022
In his defense, Strickland explained his approach by saying he had made it abundantly clear to his wrestling partner that he wanted to compete hard and remembered the situation.
Sean Strickland clarified his approach to sharing sparring videos. Sean made it clear that he refrains from posting videos that depict harm or injury to his close friends or primary training partners. If he happens to knock out his sparring partner whom he regularly trains, Strickland asserted that such footage will remain private and won’t be made public.
However, he expressed a different attitude when it comes to individuals who are not part of his usual training circle, emphasizing that he has no reservations about sharing videos of sparring sessions in which he puts them out, regardless of the potential impact on those individuals.
Safe to say ‘sparring’ with Sean Strickland is intense… 😳 pic.twitter.com/N6MyT2b2l1
— UFC on TNT Sports (@ufcontnt) September 30, 2021
Despite his intense sparring, Strickland also experiences knockouts and isn’t fazed. He even goes all out with fighters like Francis Ngannou, raising concerns about his long-term health.