Strickland shares traumatic childhood story involving abusive father

Sean Strickland opened up about his difficult upbringing after Khamzat Chimaev claimed his father "made him into a girl." Strickland described witnessing his father physically abusing his mother and throwing beer bottles at him. He recounted a pivotal incident at age 17 when his father prevented his mother from going to work despite mortgage obligations. When Strickland confronted him, his father challenged him to a fight, prompting Strickland to headbutt him and break his nose. The experience left Strickland disillusioned as he watched the man he had feared his entire life crying on the floor. Strickland acknowledged that his father turned him into a sociopath, which he believes has caused more harm than good in his life.