“Bit too famous for Walmart,” Preluding UFC 297, Sean Strickland reveals newfound fame and lifestyle change as a UFC champion

UFC middleweight champion Sean Strickland talks about the downside of fame that comes with being a champion

“Bit too famous for Walmart,” Preluding UFC 297, Sean Strickland reveals newfound fame and lifestyle change as a UFC champion

Sean Strickland discusses the disadvantages of popularity that come with being a champion (via Imago/Bloomberg.com)

In the fast-paced world of mixed martial arts, winning a UFC title not only improves a fighter’s stature but also sets off a chain reaction of life-changing events. Sean Strickland, the UFC middleweight champion, recently spoke up about this. After capturing the championship, he also talked about the obstacles and shocks that came with his newfound stardom.

In an honest conversation with ESPN’s Megan Olivi, Strickland reflected on the changes in his life following his title victory. The middleweight champion asserted the good improvements included a large rise in salary, but the downsides were just as important. This is what he had to say when asked about how fame has affected his life:

You know, it’s hard to go to Walmart these days… One of my favorite things to do was to go to Walmart like right before closing time. Just wander around and buy all the useless Chinese s*it I shouldn’t buy. But now, I’m a little bit too famous for Walmart.
Sean Strickland via ESPN MMA
YouTube video

The champion’s honest words revealed the unexpected repercussions of fame. It makes the previously simple things difficult owing to public attention. On the other hand, Strickland offset his acceptance of problems with a realistic assessment of financial advantages. He noted that he was making more money but without anticipating large sponsorships in the near future.

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Sean Strickland’s openness sheds light on the numerous obstacles and incentives that come with the title of UFC champion. As he prepares for his championship defense against Dricus Du Plessis at UFC 297, Strickland’s journey continues, both inside and outside the octagon.

Sean Strickland threatens Dricus Du Plessis ahead of their scheduled fight at UFC 297

Sean Strickland, the middleweight champion of UFC, has issued a harsh warning to his opponent, Dricus Du Plessis. He warned him to avoid breaking personal lines during the pre-fight hype. The tension between Strickland (28-5) and Du Plessis (20-2) rose when Du Plessis mentioned Strickland’s terrible childhood memories. Strickland, who has been honest about his history, highlighted that such things exceed the realm of combat.

Sean Strickland issues threat to opponent Dricus Du Plessis
Sean Strickland issues a threat to opponent Dricus Du Plessis (via UFC.com)

During an episode of his podcast The Man Dance, Strickland claimed that he personally messaged Du Plessis to express the gravity of the situation. Strickland made it clear that any recurrence of those words would result in him stabbing Du Plessis if he mentioned his past again in the weigh-ins or the press conference. 

The warning comes as both fighters prepare to attend a press conference before the UFC 297 event. Strickland admitted that the seriousness of Dricus Du Plessis‘ statements may have serious consequences. These include legal ramifications and the cancellation of weeks of intensive training.

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