Strickland praises Vann's fighting style after UFC 328

Sean Strickland made clear his admiration for Joshua Vann in the aftermath of UFC 328 on May 9, publicly crediting the flyweight champion's performance as the kind of fighter he aspires to be. Strickland told his coach after watching Vann compete that the young champion's approach was exactly how he wanted to fight, and went as far as calling Vann "a tougher beast" than himself.

Strickland, 35, carries a 31-7-0 record and holds the middleweight championship. The American fighter out of Xtreme Couture is known for his relentless output, landing 6.04 significant strikes per minute at 42 percent accuracy, with a 76-inch reach helping him maintain distance and pressure throughout his bouts.

Vann, nicknamed "The Fearless," is a 24-year-old flyweight champion from Myanmar training out of 4oz. Fight Club. His record stands at 17-2-0, and the numbers behind his style help explain why Strickland took notice. Vann lands 8.84 significant strikes per minute at an impressive 56 percent accuracy, marking him as one of the more efficient and active strikers in the sport at any weight class.

Why it matters

• Strickland, a champion known for high-volume striking, singling out Vann suggests genuine peer-level respect across divisions
• Vann's striking accuracy of 56 percent stands well above the UFC average, reinforcing Strickland's assessment of his quality
• The moment puts a spotlight on Vann as a name that transcends his own flyweight division in terms of wider recognition
• Both fighters leaving UFC 328 with praise strengthens their respective positions heading into future title defenses