Sean Strickland expressed admiration for Joshua Vann following UFC 328. He told his coach during Vann's fight that he wanted to fight the same way. Strickland acknowledged Vann as tougher than himself, calling him "a tougher beast." The post notes both fighters performed at a high level at the event. This shows mutual respect between the two middleweights despite not directly competing against each other.
Sean Strickland offered a public show of respect for Joshua Van in the aftermath of UFC 328 on May 9, 2026, praising the flyweight champion's performance and even telling his own coach mid-fight that he aspired to compete in the same fashion.
Strickland, 35, holds the middleweight championship with a record of 31-7-0. Fighting out of Xtreme Couture, the American stands six-foot-one with a 76-inch reach and is one of the most active strikers in the sport, landing 6.04 significant strikes per minute. He attended UFC 328 and was evidently moved enough by what he witnessed to voice his admiration in real time, reportedly telling his corner he wanted to fight the way Van was fighting.
Van, nicknamed "The Fearless," is the 24-year-old flyweight champion from Myanmar. Representing 4oz. Fight Club, he carries a record of 17-2-0 and has established himself as a relentless offensive presence, landing 8.84 significant strikes per minute at a striking accuracy of 56 percent. Those numbers rank among the most impressive in his division, and his performance at UFC 328 clearly left an impression on one of the sport's most respected middleweights.
Strickland went further than simply complimenting Van's output, acknowledging him as tougher than himself and describing him as "a tougher beast" — notable praise from a champion known for his own rugged, high-volume style.
Why it matters
- Two champions from different weight classes sharing a card highlights the depth of talent across UFC 328.
- Strickland's remarks draw attention to Van as a must-watch fighter at flyweight, potentially raising the younger champion's profile.
- The exchange reflects genuine cross-divisional respect rather than promotional posturing, with Strickland citing Van's style as something he actively admires and wants to emulate.
Saturday, May 9, 2026
