Sean Strickland is a straight-up enigma in the octagon, and Dricus Du Plessis just pulled back the curtain on exactly why this dude is so dang tough to beat. We’re talking about a guy who doesn’t necessarily have that highlight-reel technical striking or crazy one-punch knockout power, but he’s mixing everything together in a way that’s leaving opponents scratching their heads, or worse, flat on their backs. His awkward, high-volume, fast-paced style is a nightmare.
The Unseen Grit That Breaks Opponents
This isn’t just about what you see on tape. Strickland’s got heart and grit, qualities you just can’t buy, especially for a two-time and current UFC middleweight champion. Du Plessis himself got a firsthand taste of this unique challenge. He admitted, “He’s always been a great wrestler. I took him down, I think, seven times. But to hold him down is very, very hard.” Think about that for a second. Seven takedowns, and still the man couldn’t be controlled. That’s a whole other level of fight.
How Strickland Tamed “Borz”
Remember when Sean Strickland did the unthinkable and defeated Khamzat Chimaev? ‘Borz’ was the UFC’s boogeyman for years, known for an exhausting grappling game that led to devastating finishes. But Strickland managed to weather that storm, securing a split decision win over the former champion. Du Plessis broke down exactly how Strickland overwhelmed Chimaev, just like he’s done to so many others.
“He is hard to hold down. He is very fit. He can always go five rounds. And he’s so good at dragging people into his style,” Du Plessis explained. He thought Chimaev probably came in thinking, “I’m just going to go for it. When I have this guy’s back, I’m going to submit him.” But Strickland is incredibly good defensively on the ground. Du Plessis believes Strickland kept the pace high on Khamzat, even when he was taken down. Instead of just defending, Strickland kept fighting, forcing Khamzat to work hard. Once Strickland started stopping takedowns, Chimaev got gassed. He was forced to fight Strickland’s fight, and according to Du Plessis, “Strickland wins that every single time.” It’s not flashy, but it’s effective as heck.
This insight from Du Plessis pulls back the curtain on a champ who’s proving that heart, pace, and an unbreakable defensive ground game can trump raw power and technical flash. When Strickland steps back into the octagon, you better believe everyone’s going to be watching for those subtle, relentless tactics that have made him so hard to solve. What’s next for the middleweight king? You know we’ll be glued to the screen to find out how he keeps dragging opponents into his world.
This article was created with AI assistance and published under Seattle On Tap’s editorial standards. See our Editorial Policy.
Originally reported by Yahoo Sports.
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