Influencer learns brutal lesson from UFC star Sean Strickland in merciless sparring session

Former UFC middleweight champion Sean Strickland spars with viral YouTube star Nick Nayersina and dominates him.

Influencer learns brutal lesson from UFC star Sean Strickland in merciless sparring session

Sean Strickland spars with YouTuber Nick Nayersina (via Imago/X)

Sean Strickland is undoubtedly one of the most controversial fighters in the UFC roster with his raw, unfiltered attitude always apparent. The former middleweight champion has an unapologetic personality, which makes him extremely entertaining to watch whether he wins or loses. While his fighting style is often criticized, his antics outside of UFC help him stay relevant and constantly grab attention worldwide.

Strickland recently collaborated with social media influencer and YouTuber Nick Nayersina for an entertaining session that quickly caught fans’ attention. The pair had a fun sparring session where Strickland didn’t hold back from showing his dominant edge as a professional fighter. Throughout the session, Nayersina was forced to constantly run and protect himself while Strickland applied relentless but playful pressure. 

Following the sparring session, Nayersina shared a wholesome moment where the influencer asked for a friendship with the fighter. This instance was much more normal than the time when Strickland beat up popular streamer Sneako in a sparring session. Back then, Strickland received an array of online criticism for not holding back against the streamer, questioning his professionalism.

Strickland’s last UFC outing was a disaster as the fighter lost to Dricus Du Plessis in a middleweight title rematch. The fight took place at UFC 312 in Sydney and fans were left disappointed due to Strickland’s unmotivated fighting style. Now, there are several speculations about what’s next for the American and it seems like there is a major opponent waiting for Strickland. 

Sean Strickland to fight an old rival in a rematch?

Sean Strickland ended Israel Adesanya’s dominant run at UFC 293 by dominating him and winning the bout. He applied constant pressure and used a high guard to block strikes. He relied on an effective jab and limited Adesanya’s usual kicking and countering effectiveness. Strickland stayed composed over five rounds, maintaining pace while landing the cleaner shots and avoiding major damage from Adesanya’s offense. 

Sean Strickland to potentially fight Israel Adesanya next
Sean Strickland to potentially fight Israel Adesanya next (via MMA Fighting)

With superior octagon control and effective striking, Strickland won a clear unanimous decision and claimed the middleweight title. Since then, Izzy has had two more bouts back to back, raising doubts about his future. However, according to popular coach Tim Welch, who recently trained with Adesanya, there is a major fight that might happen. 

Another thing with Izzy, he was saying he’s kinda enjoying his life. Before, he was just taking all these back-to-back fights. If you look at some of the old pay-per-views, every other pay-per-view, he was the headliner of. He seemed like he was wanting that Strickland fight back. 

Tim Welch via his YouTube channel 

As the former UFC Middleweight Champion, Adesanya reigned with precision striking, elite defense, and masterful distance control across multiple fights. He defeated top contenders like Robert Whittaker, Paulo Costa, and Marvin Vettori, showcasing dominance with style and championship-level composure throughout. However, Adesanya’s recent losses revealed he is human after all, but also highlighted his resilience, adaptability, and relentless commitment to make a comeback. 

Can Sean Strickland make a comeback?

Sean Strickland’s last fight has raised multiple doubts about whether he has what it takes to fight the best. His lack of tenacity was the reason for his fallout with his longtime coach, Eric Nicksick, who was disappointed. However, Strickland has proven his toughness, durability, and fighting style against some of the middleweight division’s top contenders.

Can Sean Strickland make a comeback
Can Sean Strickland make a comeback (via MMA Fighting)

Despite setbacks, his fearless mentality and cardio might allow him to push forward, often overwhelming opponents with volume and mental warfare. Strickland’s unorthodox stance and jab-heavy approach frustrate technical strikers, creating opportunities for control and damage. His grit, experience, and unique style make him a serious threat capable of rebounding and reclaiming a spot among elite middleweights.