Sean Strickland expressed respect for Joshua Van following his victory at UFC 328. Strickland told Van that he watched his fight and told his coach that's how he wanted to fight. He acknowledged Van as a tougher beast than himself. Both fighters delivered strong performances on the card. The exchange demonstrates mutual respect between the competitors despite the competitive nature of their bouts.
Sean Strickland took to social media following UFC 328 on May 9 to offer public praise for flyweight champion Joshua Van, calling him a tougher competitor than himself after watching Van's performance on the card.
Strickland, the reigning middleweight champion, said he told his coach that Van's style was exactly how he wanted to fight, a notable admission from a man who has built his 31-7 record on relentless forward pressure and high-volume output. The 35-year-old American, who trains out of Xtreme Couture, lands 6.04 significant strikes per minute with a 76-inch reach and has long been regarded as one of the division's most durable and aggressive competitors.
Van, just 24 years old and already holding flyweight gold, continues to establish himself as one of the most compelling fighters in the sport. The Myanmar-born champion carries a 17-2 record and produces striking numbers that are difficult to ignore — 8.84 significant strikes landed per minute at a 56 percent accuracy rate, figures that rank among the best in the division. Training out of 4oz. Fight Club, the five-foot-five southpaw is as relentless as they come at 125 pounds.
Why it matters
- Strickland's praise signals genuine cross-divisional respect between two of the UFC's current champions
- Van's performance at UFC 328 further cements his standing as a dominant flyweight title holder at just 24 years old
- The exchange highlights a shared fighting philosophy — high output, forward pressure, and a willingness to absorb punishment — that makes both men fan favorites
Saturday, May 9, 2026
