Sean Strickland expressed admiration for Joshua Van following their fight at UFC 328. In a post-fight message, Strickland told Van that he watched his bout and told his coach that's how he wanted to fight. Strickland praised Van as a tougher competitor than himself. The exchange highlighted the mutual respect between the two fighters after their high-level performance. Both fighters were noted as being at their best during the event.
Sean Strickland took to social media the day after UFC 328 to publicly praise Joshua Van, the fighter he watched compete at the same event, in a message that underscored the mutual respect between two of the UFC's current champions.
Strickland, the reigning middleweight champion, revealed in a post-fight message that he had watched Van's bout and told his coach that Van's approach was exactly how he wanted to fight. He went further, calling Van a tougher competitor than himself. The 35-year-old American, who trains out of Xtreme Couture, carries a 31-7-0 record and has built his reputation on relentless output, averaging 6.04 significant strikes per minute across his career. His orthodox stance and a 76-inch reach have made him one of the most durable and active fighters in the middleweight division.
Van, the flyweight champion representing Myanmar, gave Strickland plenty to admire. At just 24 years old, "The Fearless" owns a 17-2-0 record and trains out of 4oz. Fight Club. His striking numbers are exceptional, landing 8.84 significant strikes per minute at a 56 percent accuracy rate, making him one of the most efficient offensive fighters on the roster. At five-foot-five with a 65-inch reach, Van has carved out the flyweight title at an age when many fighters are still developing.
Why it matters
- Strickland's praise elevates Van's profile beyond the flyweight division, drawing attention from a broader UFC audience
- Both men performing at their peak at the same event sets a high standard for the 115-pound and 185-pound divisions heading forward
- The exchange reflects a rare moment of genuine sportsmanship between champions from separate weight classes
Saturday, May 9, 2026
