Sean Strickland met with his father-in-law following his victory at UFC 328, making a lighthearted comment about their relationship. Strickland told him, "I might not be the son-in-law you wanted, but here we are." The moment captured Strickland's characteristic humor even in the aftermath of his significant championship win. Details beyond this brief exchange are limited in the original report.
Sean Strickland capped off his championship victory at UFC 328 on May 9 with a moment that was pure Strickland — meeting his father-in-law afterward and quipping, "I might not be the son-in-law you wanted, but here we are."
The middleweight champion, never short of a punchline, let the humor land in the post-fight atmosphere even after what figures as a significant title defense. It was a brief but telling glimpse at the personality that has made Strickland one of the sport's most recognizable figures outside the cage as well as inside it.
Strickland, 35, carries a 31-7-0 professional record into what continues to be a commanding run atop the 185-pound division. The American fighter, who trains out of Xtreme Couture, stands six-foot-one with a 76-inch reach and fights out of an orthodox stance. His pressure-heavy style is backed by one of the more impressive output numbers in the division, with 6.04 significant strikes landed per minute and a takedown rate of 0.71 per 15 minutes that keeps opponents guessing on the feet.
Why it matters
- Strickland's continued championship status at 35 keeps him firmly at the top of a deep middleweight division
- His combination of high-volume striking and physical tools makes him a difficult stylistic puzzle for any contender
- Moments like this one reinforce the public persona that has kept Strickland in the spotlight well beyond fight week
Saturday, May 9, 2026
