Baysangur Susurkaev recounted a sparring session with Sean Strickland at the UFC Performance Institute. According to Susurkaev, Strickland expressed respect for Chechen fighters during their encounter. The sparring took place just two weeks before Strickland's bout with Hernandez, with Susurkaev working at full power and landing hard leg kicks throughout the session. Despite the proximity to his fight and the intensity of the sparring, Strickland never asked Susurkaev to reduce power or take it easy, contrasting with many American fighters who request lighter sparring weeks before competition. Susurkaev praised Strickland's toughness and character for completing all rounds without complaint.
Baysangur Susurkaev has revealed details of an intense sparring session with UFC middleweight champion Sean Strickland at the UFC Performance Institute, describing a full-power workout that took place just two weeks before Strickland's scheduled bout with Hernandez.
Susurkaev recounted that Strickland went through every round without once asking him to ease up, a contrast he drew with many American fighters who typically request lighter contact in the final weeks before a fight. The Chechen fighter said he worked at full intensity throughout, landing hard leg kicks during the session. Susurkaev also noted that Strickland expressed genuine respect for Chechen fighters during their time together, and praised the champion's toughness and character for absorbing the punishment without complaint.
Strickland, 35, holds the UFC middleweight title and carries a record of 31 wins and 7 losses. The American fighter out of Xtreme Couture stands six-foot-one with a 76-inch reach and fights out of an orthodox stance. He is one of the most active strikers in the division, averaging 6.04 significant strikes landed per minute, and the account from Susurkaev suggests his approach to fight preparation is equally relentless.
Why it matters
- The session highlights Strickland's reputation for unusually hard sparring deep into fight camps, which has become a defining part of his public identity as a competitor.
- The full-power leg kick work two weeks out raises questions about how Strickland manages physical wear heading into a title fight.
- Susurkaev's account adds texture to Strickland's standing within broader MMA training circles, extending his reputation beyond the American scene.
