Sean Strickland lists why he prefers UNCONVENTIONAL training method rather than disciplined training like The Karate Kid under ‘Mr. Miyagi’

Sean Strickland is not a big believer in mental absolution and training, ahead of his UFC 297 maiden title defense.

Sean Strickland lists why he prefers UNCONVENTIONAL training method rather than disciplined training like The Karate Kid under ‘Mr. Miyagi’

Sean Strickland (UFC.com/nycpost.com)

Middleweight titleholder Sean Strickland makes his maiden defense at UFC 297, this Saturday. The build-up to the championship bout, at Scotiabank Arena and airing on pay-per-view, had taken a dark turn. The South African 185lbs phenom and “Tarzan” lock horns finally, after squabbling for months. Recently, Dricus Du Plessis, the title challenger, snubbed Strickland for his 33% finish rate feats so far. Strickland though, is unbothered.

The fighter is known for his unfiltered approach and uniqueness. Strickland takes things in his stride. His latest training montage with Bellator champion Johnny Eblen ahead of UFC 297 title defense recently went viral as well. This was right before a sitdown with Nina Marie Daniele, as part of the UFC ‘Embedded‘ Fight Week Vlog. Concurrently, check out what Strickland said, speaking to ESPN MMA‘s Megan Olivi that day, before these training – 

[On thinking about opponent Du Plessis] Not one thing!...I think about my weight cut...but, like you know, at the end of day it's in the hand of God. No matter what I do, no matter how much I think about it... I could go sit on a rock like the f**king Karate Kid...get a Miyagi, and think about it...but the outcome won' change...
Sean Strickland via ESPN MMA
YouTube video

Du Plessis’s (20-2 MMA, 6-0 UFC) subsequent commentary about Strickland’s abusive childhood morphed into a cage-side brawl at UFC 296. But the champion is unbothered about his strain of banter, or any special training. Speaking at the interview, the champion said he would rather clear his headspace than engage in some “wax-on, was-off”, like a ‘Karate Kid’ regimen.

FS Video

The duo of fighters have, however, seemingly been on the same wavelength, going into the fight. UFC 297 ‘Embedded‘ Episode 3 sees the fighters glancing up at each other and shaking on it, before their square-off.

Sean Strickland wows with 3vs1 fight discourse

“Eat, sleep, fight, repeat” is champion Sean Strcikalnd’s mantra for a successful title run. The 185lbs titleholder, at 28-5 MMA, 15-5 UFC, stated as such to ESPN MMA during a recent sitdown. Instead of some awe-inspiring regimen like a ‘Karate Kid’, the fighter wishes to enjoy life while he can.

Sean Strickland, who faces Dricus Du Plessis at UFC 297, has had some unique training methods
Sean Strickland, who faces Dricus Du Plessis at UFC 297, has had some unique training methods (Source: br.UFC.com/Twitter)

Uncharacteristically to his unhinged demeanor, the fighter also humbly introspected on his title run. And that it could end at any moment, despite rigorous training.

Strickland faces Dricus Du Plessis next, at UFC 297 this weekend. But even before such a title contention was on the horizon, the fighter riled up fans with his training montages.

His unique training sessions have come against the likes of Jocko Willink, Alex Pereira, Jailin Turner, Luke Rockhold, and others.

But a video from the recent past sees the fighter go up against three opponents, in an insane 1 vs. 3 matchup. Consequently, Strickland likes to go up against surmounting odds, to test himself. Even while shooting footage for the UFC ‘Embedded‘ Fight Week Episode 1 Vlog in Vegas, MMA reporter Nina Marie Daniele had prompted that the fighter had just reeled from a stubbed and scarred toe.

Only time will tell what the future holds for the hardcore middleweight champion, come this Saturday.

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