Sean Strickland expressed admiration for Joshua Van following his victory at UFC 328. In a post-fight message, Strickland told Van that he had watched his fight and told his coach that was how he wanted to perform. Strickland called Van a tougher beast than himself. Both fighters delivered strong performances on the night. The gesture highlights mutual respect between competitors despite being in different divisions.
Sean Strickland made headlines after UFC 328 not for his own performance alone, but for the public admiration he directed toward flyweight champion Joshua Van following both men's victories on the card on May 9.
Strickland, who holds the middleweight title at 35 years old, carries a professional record of 31-7-0 and trains out of Xtreme Couture in the United States. The six-foot-one orthodox fighter is known for his relentless output, averaging 6.04 significant strikes per minute across his career. In a post-fight message, Strickland revealed he had watched Van's performance and told his coach that was exactly the way he wanted to fight, going so far as to call Van a tougher beast than himself.
Van, nicknamed "The Fearless," is the reigning flyweight champion at just 24 years old, representing Myanmar out of 4oz. Fight Club. Standing five-foot-five with a 65-inch reach, Van carries a record of 17-2-0 and is one of the most accurate strikers in the sport, landing at a 56 percent clip while averaging an eye-catching 8.84 significant strikes per minute. His numbers represent a level of offensive output that clearly caught Strickland's attention.
Why it matters
- Strickland's comments underscore Van's rapid rise as one of the most exciting champions across any division in the UFC.
- The gesture draws attention to Van's historic striking accuracy and volume, numbers that rank among the best on the entire roster.
- Though separated by multiple weight classes, the mutual respect between two reigning champions adds to the prestige of both men following strong showings at UFC 328.
Saturday, May 9, 2026
