UFC middleweight Sean Strickland has long been gunning for the 185-pound strap. His path to title contention was snapped when Strickland found himself on the wrong end of Alex Pereira’s own title charge, knocked out within a round of their clash a year back.
That loss obliterated his six-fight winning streak, but Strickland believes that another series of wins ought to be enough to return him to the title conversation. Strickland discussed his title hopes in a recent interview with My MMA News.
Is Sean Strickland Next In Line for UFC Middleweight Title?
He returned to winning ways earlier this year, and plans on continuing the streak with an upcoming bout against Abusupiyan Magomedov.“If this fight [with Magomedov] goes my way, it 100 percent should be in the cards.
I f****** had a close decision with f******, what the f*** was that guy’s name? Jared Cannonier, you knocked some brain cells out of me. Solid guy. Thought I won on the scorecards but it is what it is.
I truly believe I should be the one fighting ‘Izzy,’ but I lost fair and square. I’ll pay my tenants. I’ll get some W’s but yeah. That one needs to happen.”
The future of the 185-pound title is looking unclear. Israel Adesanya has effectively cleaned out the middleweight elite, but he only recently recaptured the title from Alex Pereira. Pereira has moved up to light heavyweight, and former title holder Robert Whittaker has remained an effective gatekeeper in the no.1 spot of the division.
Some want to see Dricus Du Plessis – Whittaker’s next opponent – for the title shot. Others are baffled by the matchmaking that pits ranked fighters like Sean Strickland against up-and-comers like Magomedov. Many are still wondering where Paulo Costa went.
On that last note, Sean Strickland still wants a piece of “Borrachinha,” and shed some insight as to why the top ten in the division feels a little slow. “It should have been me and Costa, for sure, hands down.
I had no fights. They asked a couple Top 10 guys, I’m not gonna say any names but they all said no. So, the UFC gave me a choice: you sit on the bench for like six months until somebody opens up or you f****** fight and I said I want to fight, let’s make some money.”
Should Sean Strickland fight for the middleweight title next? Will another couple of wins be enough to return him to contention? Let us know what you think in the comments.
