Baisangur Usurkayev recalls sparring with Sean Strickland before Hernandez fight

Baisangur Usurkayev shared his experience sparring with Sean Strickland at the UFC Performance Institute just two weeks before Strickland's bout with Esteban Hernandez. According to Usurkayev, Strickland expressed deep respect for Chechen fighters, calling them skilled and worthy people. During their sparring session, Usurkayev landed hard leg kicks at full power, but Strickland never asked him to dial back the intensity despite his upcoming fight. Usurkayev contrasted this with many American fighters who request lighter sparring even a month before their bouts. He praised Strickland's toughness and character, noting he completed all rounds without complaint.