Sean Strickland’s coach, Eric Nicksick, has shared insights on Strickland’s wrestling skills as he prepares for his upcoming fight against Anthony Hernandez in the main event at UFC Houston. This matchup is anticipated to be one of the year’s standout middleweight contests. While Strickland has shown flashes of brilliance throughout his career, his performance can vary, bringing both excitement and unpredictability to his fights.
Strickland is eager to reaffirm his status among the elite middleweights and has previously held a championship title in the UFC. A decisive victory over Hernandez could set the stage for a high-profile showdown with Khamzat Chimaev, a highly regarded opponent in the division.
In a recent interview, Nicksick emphasized Strickland’s wrestling capabilities, noting that they are often underutilized in his fights. He remarked, “Everyone in here knows how good Sean can wrestle and his ground game. Unfortunately, we don’t see it as much as we’d like in a fight.”
Nicksick also reflected on the unique training environment created by Chimaev’s presence at their gym, highlighting the camaraderie that formed between Chimaev and fellow fighter Darren Till. The rivalry that developed on social media adds an intriguing layer to Strickland’s journey as he prepares for his upcoming bout.
Addressing his fighter’s training commitment, Nicksick stated, “At the end of the day, wins and losses are going to come and go, but to me it’s a lot about our preparation and how invested we are in preparing for these types of fights. Man, he’s been all in. Not only has he been all in, so has the team.”
As anticipation builds for this fight, fans are left wondering whether Strickland will indeed secure the win in his next matchup against Hernandez, further solidifying his place in the middleweight division.