Sean Strickland publicly expressed his respect for Joshua Van following Van's recent fight. Strickland told his team during Van's bout that he wanted to fight the same way. He acknowledged Van as a tougher fighter than himself, calling him a "beast." The post includes commentary praising both fighters' performances at the event. This represents a rare moment of sportsmanship from the typically outspoken Strickland.
Middleweight champion Sean Strickland took to social media following UFC 328 to publicly praise flyweight champion Joshua Van, offering a rare and candid acknowledgment of a fellow fighter's abilities.
Strickland, known far more for confrontation than compliments, told his team during Van's bout that he wanted to fight the same way. He went further, calling Van a "beast" and describing him as a tougher fighter than himself — a striking admission from one of the sport's most outspoken personalities.
Strickland, 35, holds a professional record of 31-7-0 and carries the middleweight title representing Xtreme Couture out of the United States. The six-foot-one orthodox striker posts an impressive 6.04 significant strikes landed per minute, and his 76-inch reach gives him considerable range at 185 pounds. His willingness to walk through fire and keep pressing forward has long defined his style.
Van, at just 24 years old, is already the reigning flyweight champion and carries a record of 17-2-0 fighting out of Myanmar under the 4oz. Fight Club banner. Standing five-foot-five with a 65-inch reach, the fighter nicknamed "The Fearless" is a volume-striking menace at flyweight, landing 8.84 significant strikes per minute at a 56 percent accuracy rate — numbers that rank among the most efficient in the sport.
Why it matters
- Strickland's praise signals genuine respect across divisions, elevating Van's profile beyond flyweight
- Van's striking output and accuracy make him one of the most technically sound champions in the UFC, and recognition from a fellow titlist reinforces that standing
- The moment stands out given Strickland's reputation for bluntness, lending it unusual credibility in MMA circles
