“Why can’t he fight like this?” – UFC star Sean Strickland and kickboxing champion go to WAR in viral sparring session video; fans react
During his visit to Tokyo, Sean Strickland sparred with former K-1 kickboxing champion in a wild brawl.
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Sean Strickland engages in fiery close-quarters sparring without headgear (Source: Instagram/IMAGO)
Sean Strickland was last in action when he edged out Paulo Costa at UFC 302 with his goliath stomps. The win over Costa has pushed him a step closer to title shots. Rather than key middleweight title eliminators, ‘Tarzan’ awaits a shot at gold next. Meanwhile, keeping up with his habitual trend, the fighter sparred with former K-1 Kickboxing Champion & current RIZIN fighter Rukiya Anpo.
If one were to ask Sean Strickland if he prefers BKFC or RIZIN fighters more…he’d say the latter. It is not a big jolt to the system, given he despises the underpaying bare-knuckle system. Now, Strickland has added ammunition to veer towards RIZIN. His current sparring session sees a full-fledged striking clinic! Riddled with tactical risk management and standing hammer fists, the duo went to war.
The former K-1 Super Lightweight (-65 kg) Anpo is a prolific Japanese striker. His lineal kickboxing proved apt for Strickland’s style. The Team Xtreme Couture fighter has an unfathomable way of spamming shots and separating via ranged mid-kicks. While most just try running out of his hitbox, Strickland manages to outbox them.
However, his scraps sometimes prove less than the desirable amount of fieryness. Pundits and peers often wonder if the opponent could have answered his spam shots better instead of deflecting away. To that end, Strickland vs. Rukiya Anpo lived up to the utmost degree of interest. With Strickland gaining the upper hand, MMA fans took notice and poured on their reactions.
Fans react to fiery sparring footage of Sean Strickland
2022 PFL Welterweight World Champion Sadibou Sy and Bellator middleweight counterpart Johnny Eblen are excellent talents outside the UFC. Those are Sean Strickland’s hardest sparring partners to date with a tactical approach. However, the 33-year-old does enjoy his dose of unapologetic, violent demeanor.
To that end, his session with Rukiya Anpo proved violently pleasing enough. Both answered in jagged strikes to the head at range, with Strickland opting for long-shot pounding and uppercuts. He also lands a few hammering fists while on his feet. Here’s what the fans think of it:
Strickland lost his maiden defense in a debated split decision at the UFC 297 PPV in January. He found pockets of success; however, Dricus Du Plessis broke his pace with unorthodox striking and takedown bursts.
The American middleweight rebounded with a win over Costa. However, their scrap did not deliver on a promised war. Hence, a prime reaction (@yodalorian9) wrote, “Why can’t he fight like this in the UFC?” Concurrently, fans have alluded that Anpo hedges around 30 to 40-pound-lighter than him. Many thus failed to see a point in mercilessly clubbing a lightweight.
In case you missed it:
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Dibaas.M
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