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Sean Strickland

Updated: Wikipedia source

Sean Strickland

Sean Thomas Strickland (born February 27, 1991) is an American professional mixed martial artist. He currently competes in the Middleweight division of the Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC), where he is the current and two-time UFC Middleweight Champion. A professional since 2008, he is a former Middleweight Champion of the King of the Cage. As of May 19, 2026, he is in the UFC men's pound-for-pound rankings.

Infobox

Born
Sean Thomas Strickland (1991-02-27) February 27, 1991 Anaheim, California, U .
Nickname
Tarzan
Height
6 ft 1 in (1 m)
Weight
185 lb (84 kg; 13 st)
Division
Welterweight (2008, 2015–2018) Middleweight (2009–2015, 2020–present) Light Heavyweight (2009–2010, 2023)
Reach
76 in (193 cm)
Stance
Orthodox
Fighting out of
Corona, California, U .
Team
Millennia MMA Gym (2014–present) RVCA Training Center Syndicate MMA Xtreme Couture (2014–present)
Trainer
Eric Nicksick
Rank
Black belt in Brazilian jiu-jitsu
Years active
2008–present
Total
38
Wins
31
By knockout
2
By submission
4
By decision
5
Losses
7

Tables

Professional record breakdown · Mixed martial arts record
By knockout
By knockout
38 matches
By knockout
31 wins
12
7 losses
2
By submission
By submission
38 matches
By submission
31 wins
4
7 losses
0
By decision
By decision
38 matches
By decision
31 wins
15
7 losses
5
38 matches
31 wins
7 losses
By knockout
12
2
By submission
4
0
By decision
15
5
· Mixed martial arts record
Win
Win
Res.
Win
Record
31–7
Opponent
Khamzat Chimaev
Method
Decision (split)
Event
UFC 328
Date
May 9, 2026
Round
5
Time
5:00
Location
Newark, New Jersey, United States
Notes
Won the UFC Middleweight Championship.
Win
Win
Res.
Win
Record
30–7
Opponent
Anthony Hernandez
Method
TKO (punches)
Event
UFC Fight Night: Strickland vs. Hernandez
Date
February 21, 2026
Round
3
Time
2:23
Location
Houston, Texas, United States
Notes
Performance of the Night.
Loss
Loss
Res.
Loss
Record
29–7
Opponent
Dricus du Plessis
Method
Decision (unanimous)
Event
UFC 312
Date
February 9, 2025
Round
5
Time
5:00
Location
Sydney, Australia
Notes
For the UFC Middleweight Championship.
Win
Win
Res.
Win
Record
29–6
Opponent
Paulo Costa
Method
Decision (split)
Event
UFC 302
Date
June 1, 2024
Round
5
Time
5:00
Location
Newark, New Jersey, United States
Loss
Loss
Res.
Loss
Record
28–6
Opponent
Dricus du Plessis
Method
Decision (split)
Event
UFC 297
Date
January 20, 2024
Round
5
Time
5:00
Location
Toronto, Ontario, Canada
Notes
Lost the UFC Middleweight Championship. Fight of the Night.
Win
Win
Res.
Win
Record
28–5
Opponent
Israel Adesanya
Method
Decision (unanimous)
Event
UFC 293
Date
September 10, 2023
Round
5
Time
5:00
Location
Sydney, Australia
Notes
Won the UFC Middleweight Championship. Performance of the Night.
Win
Win
Res.
Win
Record
27–5
Opponent
Abusupiyan Magomedov
Method
TKO (punches)
Event
UFC on ESPN: Strickland vs. Magomedov
Date
July 1, 2023
Round
2
Time
4:20
Location
Las Vegas, Nevada, United States
Notes
Performance of the Night.
Win
Win
Res.
Win
Record
26–5
Opponent
Nassourdine Imavov
Method
Decision (unanimous)
Event
UFC Fight Night: Strickland vs. Imavov
Date
January 14, 2023
Round
5
Time
5:00
Location
Las Vegas, Nevada, United States
Notes
Light Heavyweight bout.
Loss
Loss
Res.
Loss
Record
25–5
Opponent
Jared Cannonier
Method
Decision (split)
Event
UFC Fight Night: Cannonier vs. Strickland
Date
December 17, 2022
Round
5
Time
5:00
Location
Las Vegas, Nevada, United States
Loss
Loss
Res.
Loss
Record
25–4
Opponent
Alex Pereira
Method
KO (punches)
Event
UFC 276
Date
July 2, 2022
Round
1
Time
2:36
Location
Las Vegas, Nevada, United States
Win
Win
Res.
Win
Record
25–3
Opponent
Jack Hermansson
Method
Decision (split)
Event
UFC Fight Night: Hermansson vs. Strickland
Date
February 5, 2022
Round
5
Time
5:00
Location
Las Vegas, Nevada, United States
Win
Win
Res.
Win
Record
24–3
Opponent
Uriah Hall
Method
Decision (unanimous)
Event
UFC on ESPN: Hall vs. Strickland
Date
July 31, 2021
Round
5
Time
5:00
Location
Las Vegas, Nevada, United States
Win
Win
Res.
Win
Record
23–3
Opponent
Krzysztof Jotko
Method
Decision (unanimous)
Event
UFC on ESPN: Reyes vs. Procházka
Date
May 1, 2021
Round
3
Time
5:00
Location
Las Vegas, Nevada, United States
Win
Win
Res.
Win
Record
22–3
Opponent
Brendan Allen
Method
TKO (punches)
Event
UFC Fight Night: Felder vs. dos Anjos
Date
November 14, 2020
Round
2
Time
1:32
Location
Las Vegas, Nevada, United States
Notes
Catchweight (195 lb) bout. Performance of the Night.
Win
Win
Res.
Win
Record
21–3
Opponent
Jack Marshman
Method
Decision (unanimous)
Event
UFC Fight Night: Hall vs. Silva
Date
October 31, 2020
Round
3
Time
5:00
Location
Las Vegas, Nevada, United States
Notes
Return to Middleweight; Marshman missed weight (187 lb).
Win
Win
Res.
Win
Record
20–3
Opponent
Nordine Taleb
Method
TKO (punches)
Event
UFC Fight Night: Volkan vs. Smith
Date
October 27, 2018
Round
2
Time
3:10
Location
Moncton, New Brunswick, Canada
Loss
Loss
Res.
Loss
Record
19–3
Opponent
Elizeu Zaleski dos Santos
Method
KO (spinning wheel kick and punches)
Event
UFC 224
Date
May 12, 2018
Round
1
Time
3:40
Location
Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
Win
Win
Res.
Win
Record
19–2
Opponent
Court McGee
Method
Decision (unanimous)
Event
UFC Fight Night: Poirier vs. Pettis
Date
November 11, 2017
Round
3
Time
5:00
Location
Norfolk, Virginia, United States
Notes
Originally announced as a majority draw; overturned due to a miscalculation in scores.
Loss
Loss
Res.
Loss
Record
18–2
Opponent
Kamaru Usman
Method
Decision (unanimous)
Event
UFC 210
Date
April 8, 2017
Round
3
Time
5:00
Location
Buffalo, New York, United States
Win
Win
Res.
Win
Record
18–1
Opponent
Tom Breese
Method
Decision (split)
Event
UFC 199
Date
June 4, 2016
Round
3
Time
5:00
Location
Inglewood, California, United States
Win
Win
Res.
Win
Record
17–1
Opponent
Alex Garcia
Method
KO (punches)
Event
UFC Fight Night: Cowboy vs. Cowboy
Date
February 21, 2016
Round
3
Time
4:25
Location
Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, United States
Win
Win
Res.
Win
Record
16–1
Opponent
Igor Araújo
Method
Decision (unanimous)
Event
UFC Fight Night: Mir vs. Duffee
Date
July 15, 2015
Round
3
Time
5:00
Location
San Diego, California, United States
Loss
Loss
Res.
Loss
Record
15–1
Opponent
Santiago Ponzinibbio
Method
Decision (unanimous)
Event
UFC Fight Night: Bigfoot vs. Mir
Date
February 22, 2015
Round
3
Time
5:00
Location
Porto Alegre, Brazil
Notes
Return to Welterweight.
Win
Win
Res.
Win
Record
15–0
Opponent
Luke Barnatt
Method
Decision (split)
Event
UFC Fight Night: Muñoz vs. Mousasi
Date
May 31, 2014
Round
3
Time
5:00
Location
Berlin, Germany
Win
Win
Res.
Win
Record
14–0
Opponent
Bubba McDaniel
Method
Submission (rear-naked choke)
Event
UFC 171
Date
March 15, 2014
Round
1
Time
4:33
Location
Dallas, Texas, United States
Win
Win
Res.
Win
Record
13–0
Opponent
Matt Lagler
Method
TKO (punches)
Event
KOTC: Split Decision
Date
August 29, 2013
Round
1
Time
4:59
Location
Highland, California, United States
Notes
Defended the KOTC Middleweight Championship.
Win
Win
Res.
Win
Record
12–0
Opponent
Yusuke Sakashita
Method
Decision (unanimous)
Event
KOTC: Worldwide
Date
July 5, 2013
Round
5
Time
5:00
Location
Manila, Philippines
Notes
Defended the KOTC Middleweight Championship.
Win
Win
Res.
Win
Record
11–0
Opponent
Bill Albrecht
Method
KO (punch)
Event
KOTC: Restitution
Date
February 7, 2013
Round
1
Time
2:41
Location
Los Angeles, California, United States
Notes
Defended the KOTC Middleweight Championship.
Win
Win
Res.
Win
Record
10–0
Opponent
Josh Bryant
Method
Decision (split)
Event
KOTC: Unification
Date
December 8, 2012
Round
3
Time
5:00
Location
Highland, California, United States
Notes
Defended and unified the KOTC Middleweight Championship.
Win
Win
Res.
Win
Record
9–0
Opponent
Brandon Hunt
Method
TKO (punches)
Event
KOTC: Hardcore
Date
April 26, 2012
Round
1
Time
3:24
Location
Highland, California, United States
Notes
Won the KOTC Middleweight Championship.
Win
Win
Res.
Win
Record
8–0
Opponent
Brandon Hunt
Method
TKO (punches)
Event
KOTC: Steel Curtain
Date
December 17, 2011
Round
1
Time
3:48
Location
Norman, Oklahoma, United States
Win
Win
Res.
Win
Record
7–0
Opponent
Brett Sbardella
Method
KO (punches)
Event
KOTC: Demolition
Date
August 6, 2011
Round
1
Time
1:03
Location
Walker, Minnesota, United States
Win
Win
Res.
Win
Record
6–0
Opponent
Donavin Hawkey
Method
Submission (rear-naked choke)
Event
KOTC: Platinum
Date
November 25, 2010
Round
1
Time
1:21
Location
Durban, South Africa
Notes
Return to Middleweight.
Win
Win
Res.
Win
Record
5–0
Opponent
Adriel Montes
Method
TKO (punches)
Event
KOTC: Underground 63
Date
October 2, 2010
Round
2
Time
1:05
Location
Laughlin, Nevada, United States
Win
Win
Res.
Win
Record
4–0
Opponent
George Interiano
Method
Decision (unanimous)
Event
Long Beach Fight Night 7
Date
January 3, 2010
Round
3
Time
5:00
Location
Long Beach, California, United States
Win
Win
Res.
Win
Record
3–0
Opponent
William Wheeler
Method
Submission (rear-naked choke)
Event
KOTC: Jolted
Date
October 3, 2009
Round
1
Time
1:55
Location
Laughlin, Nevada, United States
Notes
Light Heavyweight debut.
Win
Win
Res.
Win
Record
2–0
Opponent
Brandon Ellsworth
Method
TKO (punches)
Event
KOTC: Last Resort
Date
March 14, 2009
Round
1
Time
1:28
Location
Laughlin, Nevada, United States
Notes
Middleweight debut.
Win
Win
Res.
Win
Record
1–0
Opponent
Tyler Pottett
Method
Submission (rear-naked choke)
Event
KOTC: Protege
Date
March 22, 2008
Round
2
Time
1:53
Location
Laughlin, Nevada, United States
Notes
Welterweight debut.
Res.
Record
Opponent
Method
Event
Date
Round
Time
Location
Notes
Win
31–7
Khamzat Chimaev
Decision (split)
UFC 328
May 9, 2026
5
5:00
Newark, New Jersey, United States
Won the UFC Middleweight Championship.
Win
30–7
Anthony Hernandez
TKO (punches)
UFC Fight Night: Strickland vs. Hernandez
February 21, 2026
3
2:23
Houston, Texas, United States
Performance of the Night.
Loss
29–7
Dricus du Plessis
Decision (unanimous)
UFC 312
February 9, 2025
5
5:00
Sydney, Australia
For the UFC Middleweight Championship.
Win
29–6
Paulo Costa
Decision (split)
UFC 302
June 1, 2024
5
5:00
Newark, New Jersey, United States
Loss
28–6
Dricus du Plessis
Decision (split)
UFC 297
January 20, 2024
5
5:00
Toronto, Ontario, Canada
Lost the UFC Middleweight Championship. Fight of the Night.
Win
28–5
Israel Adesanya
Decision (unanimous)
UFC 293
September 10, 2023
5
5:00
Sydney, Australia
Won the UFC Middleweight Championship. Performance of the Night.
Win
27–5
Abusupiyan Magomedov
TKO (punches)
UFC on ESPN: Strickland vs. Magomedov
July 1, 2023
2
4:20
Las Vegas, Nevada, United States
Performance of the Night.
Win
26–5
Nassourdine Imavov
Decision (unanimous)
UFC Fight Night: Strickland vs. Imavov
January 14, 2023
5
5:00
Las Vegas, Nevada, United States
Light Heavyweight bout.
Loss
25–5
Jared Cannonier
Decision (split)
UFC Fight Night: Cannonier vs. Strickland
December 17, 2022
5
5:00
Las Vegas, Nevada, United States
Loss
25–4
Alex Pereira
KO (punches)
UFC 276
July 2, 2022
1
2:36
Las Vegas, Nevada, United States
Win
25–3
Jack Hermansson
Decision (split)
UFC Fight Night: Hermansson vs. Strickland
February 5, 2022
5
5:00
Las Vegas, Nevada, United States
Win
24–3
Uriah Hall
Decision (unanimous)
UFC on ESPN: Hall vs. Strickland
July 31, 2021
5
5:00
Las Vegas, Nevada, United States
Win
23–3
Krzysztof Jotko
Decision (unanimous)
UFC on ESPN: Reyes vs. Procházka
May 1, 2021
3
5:00
Las Vegas, Nevada, United States
Win
22–3
Brendan Allen
TKO (punches)
UFC Fight Night: Felder vs. dos Anjos
November 14, 2020
2
1:32
Las Vegas, Nevada, United States
Catchweight (195 lb) bout. Performance of the Night.
Win
21–3
Jack Marshman
Decision (unanimous)
UFC Fight Night: Hall vs. Silva
October 31, 2020
3
5:00
Las Vegas, Nevada, United States
Return to Middleweight; Marshman missed weight (187 lb).
Win
20–3
Nordine Taleb
TKO (punches)
UFC Fight Night: Volkan vs. Smith
October 27, 2018
2
3:10
Moncton, New Brunswick, Canada
Loss
19–3
Elizeu Zaleski dos Santos
KO (spinning wheel kick and punches)
UFC 224
May 12, 2018
1
3:40
Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
Win
19–2
Court McGee
Decision (unanimous)
UFC Fight Night: Poirier vs. Pettis
November 11, 2017
3
5:00
Norfolk, Virginia, United States
Originally announced as a majority draw; overturned due to a miscalculation in scores.
Loss
18–2
Kamaru Usman
Decision (unanimous)
UFC 210
April 8, 2017
3
5:00
Buffalo, New York, United States
Win
18–1
Tom Breese
Decision (split)
UFC 199
June 4, 2016
3
5:00
Inglewood, California, United States
Win
17–1
Alex Garcia
KO (punches)
UFC Fight Night: Cowboy vs. Cowboy
February 21, 2016
3
4:25
Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, United States
Win
16–1
Igor Araújo
Decision (unanimous)
UFC Fight Night: Mir vs. Duffee
July 15, 2015
3
5:00
San Diego, California, United States
Loss
15–1
Santiago Ponzinibbio
Decision (unanimous)
UFC Fight Night: Bigfoot vs. Mir
February 22, 2015
3
5:00
Porto Alegre, Brazil
Return to Welterweight.
Win
15–0
Luke Barnatt
Decision (split)
UFC Fight Night: Muñoz vs. Mousasi
May 31, 2014
3
5:00
Berlin, Germany
Win
14–0
Bubba McDaniel
Submission (rear-naked choke)
UFC 171
March 15, 2014
1
4:33
Dallas, Texas, United States
Win
13–0
Matt Lagler
TKO (punches)
KOTC: Split Decision
August 29, 2013
1
4:59
Highland, California, United States
Defended the KOTC Middleweight Championship.
Win
12–0
Yusuke Sakashita
Decision (unanimous)
KOTC: Worldwide
July 5, 2013
5
5:00
Manila, Philippines
Defended the KOTC Middleweight Championship.
Win
11–0
Bill Albrecht
KO (punch)
KOTC: Restitution
February 7, 2013
1
2:41
Los Angeles, California, United States
Defended the KOTC Middleweight Championship.
Win
10–0
Josh Bryant
Decision (split)
KOTC: Unification
December 8, 2012
3
5:00
Highland, California, United States
Defended and unified the KOTC Middleweight Championship.
Win
9–0
Brandon Hunt
TKO (punches)
KOTC: Hardcore
April 26, 2012
1
3:24
Highland, California, United States
Won the KOTC Middleweight Championship.
Win
8–0
Brandon Hunt
TKO (punches)
KOTC: Steel Curtain
December 17, 2011
1
3:48
Norman, Oklahoma, United States
Win
7–0
Brett Sbardella
KO (punches)
KOTC: Demolition
August 6, 2011
1
1:03
Walker, Minnesota, United States
Win
6–0
Donavin Hawkey
Submission (rear-naked choke)
KOTC: Platinum
November 25, 2010
1
1:21
Durban, South Africa
Return to Middleweight.
Win
5–0
Adriel Montes
TKO (punches)
KOTC: Underground 63
October 2, 2010
2
1:05
Laughlin, Nevada, United States
Win
4–0
George Interiano
Decision (unanimous)
Long Beach Fight Night 7
January 3, 2010
3
5:00
Long Beach, California, United States
Win
3–0
William Wheeler
Submission (rear-naked choke)
KOTC: Jolted
October 3, 2009
1
1:55
Laughlin, Nevada, United States
Light Heavyweight debut.
Win
2–0
Brandon Ellsworth
TKO (punches)
KOTC: Last Resort
March 14, 2009
1
1:28
Laughlin, Nevada, United States
Middleweight debut.
Win
1–0
Tyler Pottett
Submission (rear-naked choke)
KOTC: Protege
March 22, 2008
2
1:53
Laughlin, Nevada, United States
Welterweight debut.
· Pay-per-view bouts
1.
1.
No.
1.
Event
UFC 293
Fight
Adesanya vs. Strickland
Date
September 10, 2023
Venue
Qudos Bank Arena
City
Sydney, Australia
PPV buys
Not Disclosed
2.
2.
No.
2.
Event
UFC 297
Fight
Strickland vs. du Plessis
Date
January 20, 2024
Venue
Scotiabank Arena
City
Toronto, Ontario, Canada
PPV buys
Not Disclosed
3.
3.
No.
3.
Event
UFC 312
Fight
du Plessis vs. Strickland 2
Date
February 9, 2025
Venue
Qudos Bank Arena
City
Sydney, Australia
PPV buys
Not Disclosed
No.
Event
Fight
Date
Venue
City
PPV buys
1.
UFC 293
Adesanya vs. Strickland
September 10, 2023
Qudos Bank Arena
Sydney, Australia
Not Disclosed
2.
UFC 297
Strickland vs. du Plessis
January 20, 2024
Scotiabank Arena
Toronto, Ontario, Canada
Not Disclosed
3.
UFC 312
du Plessis vs. Strickland 2
February 9, 2025
Qudos Bank Arena
Sydney, Australia
Not Disclosed
· External links
Preceded byIsrael Adesanya
Preceded byIsrael Adesanya
Awards and achievements
Preceded byIsrael Adesanya
Awards and achievements
14th UFC Middleweight Champion September 10, 2023 – January 20, 2024
Awards and achievements
Succeeded byDricus du Plessis
Preceded byKhamzat Chimaev
Preceded byKhamzat Chimaev
Awards and achievements
Preceded byKhamzat Chimaev
Awards and achievements
17th UFC Middleweight Champion May 9, 2026 – present
Awards and achievements
Incumbent
Awards and achievements
Preceded byIsrael Adesanya
14th UFC Middleweight Champion September 10, 2023 – January 20, 2024
Succeeded byDricus du Plessis
Preceded byKhamzat Chimaev
17th UFC Middleweight Champion May 9, 2026 – present
Incumbent

References

  1. "Fight Card - UFC Fight Night Mir vs. Duffee"
    http://www.ufc.com/event/ufc-fight-night-san-diego-2015/printFightCard
  2. Ultimate Fighting Championship
    https://www.ufc.com/news/sean-stricklands-peace-ufc-vegas-12
  3. The Press-Enterprise
    https://www.pressenterprise.com/2016/06/02/mma-team-quests-sean-strickland-ready-to-take-next-step-in-ufc/
  4. XTREME COUTURE: Sean Strickland & Eric Nicksick | sparring hard, bust up noses and beef with Khamzat
    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jOiC0NuPhfM&t=166s
  5. MMA Fighting
    https://www.mmafighting.com/2022/1/4/22866314/eric-nicksick-praises-sean-strickland-reveals-how-he-calls-out-francis-ngannou-for-sparring-sessions
  6. Bloodyelbow
    https://bloodyelbow.com/2023/11/01/ufc-sean-strickland-training-partner/
  7. Tapology
    https://www.tapology.com/fightcenter/fighters/6055-sean-strickland-tarzan
  8. www
    https://www.ufc.com/rankings
  9. YouTube
    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gfGexuvCRLQ&ab_channel=MMAFightingonSBN
  10. YouTube
    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=P7ii2cUhjAk
  11. EssentiallySports
    https://www.essentiallysports.com/ufc-mma-news-sean-stricklands-parents-everything-about-the-ufc-stars-childhood-and-his-relationship-with-his-father/
  12. MMA Fighting
    https://www.mmafighting.com/2021/10/31/22751844/sean-strickland-details-neo-nazi-past-finding-salvation-in-mma
  13. MMA Fighting
    https://www.mmafighting.com/2021/10/31/22751844/sean-strickland-details-neo-nazi-past-finding-salvation-in-mma
  14. Sportsmanor
    https://sportsmanor.com/ufc-sean-strickland-s-family-and-his-rough-upbringing/
  15. Sherdog
    https://www.sherdog.com/fighter/Sean-Strickland-30452
  16. "UFC 171: Sean Strickland vs Bubba McDaniel booked for March 15 with Tor Troeng hurt"
    http://www.mmamania.com/2014/3/3/5467656/ufc-171-sean-strickland-bubba-mcdaniel-march-15-tor-troeng-injured-mma
  17. "UFC 171 results: Sean Strickland chokes out Bubba McDaniel in the first round"
    https://web.archive.org/web/20230712053538/http://www.bloodyelbow.com/2014/3/15/5510712/ufc-171-results-bubba-mcdaniel-vs-sean-strickland
  18. "Luke Barnatt vs. Sean Strickland set for UFC Fight Night 41 in Berlin"
    https://web.archive.org/web/20140527161042/http://www.bjpenn.com/luke-barnatt-vs-sean-strickland-set-for-ufc-fight-night-41-in-berlin/
  19. "UFC Fight Night 41 results: Sean Strickland shocks Luke Barnatt with split decision"
    http://mmajunkie.com/2014/05/ufc-fight-night-41-results-sean-strickland-shocks-luke-barnatt-with-split-decision
  20. "MMA Decisions - Sean Strickland defeats Luke Barnatt"
    http://mmadecisions.com/decision/5198/Sean-Strickland-vs-Luke-Barnatt
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