UFC Sacramento Headliner Reveals the Challenges of Sparring Middleweight Champion Sean Strickland

Sean Strickland is one of MMA’s most dangerous and demanding training partners, known for intense sparring sessions. The UFC middleweight champion pushes training partners to their limits without holding back. Anthony ‘Fluffy’ Hernandez is now the latest fighter to experience that intensity firsthand.

The rivalry between Strickland and Hernandez played out at UFC Houston. Hernandez had success early, but Strickland controlled the second round with his jab and striking volume. In the third, Strickland hurt ‘Fluffy’ to the body before finishing the Dunnigan native with ground strikes at 2:23.

Since then, Strickland defeated Khamzat Chimaev at UFC 328 to reclaim the UFC middleweight title. Hernandez now looks to rebound against Gregory Rodrigues in UFC Sacramento’s main event. Hernandez recently revealed his training experience with Strickland at Xtreme Couture and the UFC Performance Institute.

What you see is what you get with Strickland. My first day on the mats, me and him fought 5×5’s. There was no takedowns, it was a blast. We basically did the fight again for free. It was obviously not ideal for my first day on the mats to fight him, but that’s life.

Anthony Hernandez told UFC media team

Anthony Hernandez says his first day training with Sean Strickland they did 5×5’s with no takedowns

“My first day on the mats me and that motherf****r fought 5×5’s. There was no takedowns, it was a f*****g blast. We basically did the fight again for free” pic.twitter.com/eMMKgRNOyG

— FULL SEND MMA (@full_send_mma) August 18, 2026

The session also recalls Strickland’s previous sparring sessions with Alex Pereira, despite their UFC 276 history. Pereira knocked Strickland out in the first round before the former rivals later became training partners. In July 2024, they shared nearly six minutes of sparring footage, showcasing their striking exchanges.

Strickland has also shared the gym with some of the UFC’s most dangerous fighters under coach Eric Nicksick at Xtreme Couture in Las Vegas. The middleweight champion has sparred with Alex Pereira and former UFC heavyweight champion Francis Ngannou, who is renowned for his exceptional punching power.

The sparring session is notable given the rivalry between Strickland and Hernandez before their Houston clash. Strickland continued his usual trash talk during the buildup, creating added tension. However, both fighters later settled their differences and cleared up a misunderstanding involving Strickland and Hernandez’s daughter.

Before facing Strickland, Hernandez was riding an eight-fight UFC winning streak. The run included victories over Michel Pereira and Roman Dolidze, among several other opponents. Hernandez entered the fight with a 9-2 UFC record before the current 185-pound champion ended his streak with a third-round TKO.

Gregory Rodrigues presents a dangerous challenge for ‘Fluffy’ and enters riding a three-fight winning streak. He most recently knocked out Brunno Ferreira at UFC 326. Hernandez’s intense sparring sessions with Sean Strickland should provide valuable preparation for the dangerous challenge awaiting him in Sacramento.

Sean Strickland locks horns with UFC veteran after criticizing longtime UFC analyst

Din Thomas is a retired MMA fighter who competed primarily at lightweight and featherweight during his career. The American Top Team representative finished with a 23-9 UFC-recorded professional mark, including 15 submission victories. Thomas later became known as a UFC broadcast analyst, adding a media role to his MMA career.

Thomas recently faced controversy after announcing his retirement from cornering following Gillian Robertson’s unanimous decision loss to Mackenzie Dern at UFC 330. Thomas made the announcement during the post-fight broadcast, drawing criticism over the timing and his comments about Robertson’s performance.

Sean Strickland took aim at Thomas after the coach announced his cornering retirement following Robertson’s UFC 330 loss. Strickland criticized the UFC analyst for abandoning Robertson after her defeat and called him a poor coach. He also argued that losing fights should not be treated as a reason to quit.

Former UFC welterweight champion Tyron Woodley came to Thomas’ defense after Strickland’s criticism. Woodley privately warned Strickland to limit his comments and avoid crossing a line.

Strickland responded with insults and shared an image referencing Woodley’s seven-fight winless skid across MMA and boxing.

Tyron Woodley confronted Sean Strickland in his DMs for talking bad about Din Thomas

Sean Strickland sent him back a screenshot of his 7-fight losing skid 😬

🗣️ Woodley: "Watch your mouth talking about Din. You have no clue wtf you talking about."

🗣️ Strickland: "Bro what are… pic.twitter.com/MjP2elpaR2

— Championship Rounds (@ChampRDS) August 18, 2026

Since then, Din Thomas has apologized to Gillian Robertson for announcing his cornering retirement after UFC 330. However, Robertson questioned its sincerity and said she does not view it as genuine.

With Sean Strickland and Tyron Woodley trading shots online, the controversy has now extended beyond Thomas and Robertson.

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