Sean Strickland is probably going going to have a barely totally different group of coaches surrounding him when he returns for his subsequent struggle after a tumultuous night time at UFC 312.
The previous middleweight champion launched a prolonged video on Twitter addressing his shortcomings within the rematch with Dricus du Plessis in addition to feedback made by Xtreme Couture head coach Eric Nicksick where he said during an appearance on The Ariel Helwani Show that it was a “very underwhelming efficiency” and an “uninspiring” effort from Strickland. Whereas Strickland guarantees that he’s going to take care of a friendship with Nicksick going ahead as he plans to proceed coaching at Xtreme Couture, it’s possible that the veteran coach gained’t be again in his nook once more.
“I like Eric [Nicksick],” Strickland mentioned in a video posted on Twitter. “He’s a buddy of mine and he’s going to proceed to be a buddy of mine. Will he most likely be in my nook? In all probability not. Now we have so many nice guys at Xtreme [Couture], Nate [Pettit], Ray Sefo, we’ve got so many savages that I’d like to nook me.
“However that total struggle camp was only a battle. It was a f*cking battle. All of us have excuses as to why we didn’t win or why we gained and we shouldn’t have gained. All of us f*cking have excuses and so they don’t f*cking matter. The one cause I’m doing this video is Eric needed to go do a f*cking podcast and change into an influencer so I’ve bought to be like sort of clarify myself.”
Strickland revealed that he really had a damaged bone in his arm simply a few months out from the struggle whereas he additionally suffered via a staph an infection, which was introduced up by du Plessis throughout struggle week.
The entire ordeal took a toll on Strickland however he stored pushing via his coaching classes with the mindset that he wasn’t going to cross on the chance to get revenge on du Plessis whereas additionally reclaiming the UFC middleweight title.
“This isn’t an excuse however that total camp was only a battle of ‘I’m good, I’m good’ understanding you’re not good,” Strickland mentioned. “I used to be in Colombia eight weeks out, seven weeks out getting stem cells on a damaged bone. Once more, bone healed wonderful, not an excuse, it simply sort of weighs at the back of your head.
“I’d prepare with that [Reinier de Ridder] man, that submission man and he hit me with a whizzer and it was already damaged and I assumed my arm f*cking snapped. I assumed my arm snapped, I’ve bought to go to Colombia. Like that is f*cked.”
Regardless of all the issues he confronted throughout his coaching camp, Strickland simply stored pushing via with hopes that he might flip it round within the struggle.
Sadly that didn’t occur.
“However all camp that is simply at the back of your head and also you simply preserve telling your self ‘I’m f*cking good’ and I feel that is what all males do,” Strickland mentioned. “All males do that. You look within the mirror and though you’re not good, you’re like ‘I’m f*cking good, you’re a f*cking man, you sack up.’
“However all camp whether or not it’s the staph an infection, the damaged arm, having to get a visa that didn’t get accepted till per week [before the fight], not with the ability to get cornermen on the market. This complete camp was a battle of I’m not good however me trying in a mirror and saying ‘sack up.’”
For all of the complaints that he placed on a lackluster efficiency, Strickland is aware of he didn’t go into that struggle anyplace close to one hundred pc however he gained’t return and use that as an excuse now.
Even late within the struggle after du Plessis shattered his nostril, which induced blood to go streaming down his face, Strickland wouldn’t hand over till the ultimate horn sounded.
“Nothing with Dricus, he got here there and fought his ass off,” Strickland mentioned. “F*cking broke my nostril. Hell yeah. Hats off you fought like a f*cking man.
“I broke my nostril like f*cking 3 times in that spherical and each single time, I didn’t give up. I didn’t go sit on the stool and say my nostril is damaged and I can’t struggle. I adjusted it each f*cking time. I assumed possibly I’ll get fortunate, possibly I gained’t however on the finish of the day, all of us have a f*cking story and nobody offers a f*ck. I’m grateful for my life. I really like my job. I really like my followers. I help you guys simply as a lot as you help me. Again within the fitness center, sack up and onto the subsequent.”
As a lot because the struggle was constructed across the UFC middleweight title, Strickland says none of that has ever mattered a lot to him. He will get way more out of the game than simply championship belts and Strickland is aware of none of that adjustments whatever the consequence in his struggle in opposition to du Plessis.
“I don’t struggle to place belts on the wall,” Strickland mentioned. “I don’t f*cking struggle as a result of Eric needs to go do a f*cking fancy podcast. That’s not why I struggle. Earlier than combating, I had the bottom vanity, couldn’t even have a look at myself within the f*cking mirror. Like I didn’t even know what dignity was once I first began combating. Form of via combating, I’ve discovered a lot. I’m met so many superb folks. By the UFC and struggle followers, you guys have modified my f*cking life. Modified my f*cking life.
“You made me develop a lot as an individual within the ring and out of the ring and that’s why I struggle. I f*cking like it. I’ve bought plenty of fights left on my contract. I really like combating. I’m going again to the fitness center. I’m working my ass off and I’m ranging from f*cking sq. one. That’s simply sort of how life is.”
