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 he wanted to fight the same way. He acknowledged Van as a tougher competitor, saying "You're a much tougher beast than me, buddy." The post notes that both fighters performed at a high level during the event. This represents a moment of sportsmanship between the two middleweights after their respective performances.
Sean Strickland took a moment after UFC 328 on May 9 to publicly salute flyweight champion Joshua Van, offering a candid show of respect following both men's performances at the event.
Strickland, the reigning middleweight champion, told Van he had watched his fight and informed his own coach he wanted to compete in the same fashion. In a rare display of humility from the typically brash 35-year-old, Strickland went further and called Van a tougher competitor than himself, saying Van was "a much tougher beast than me, buddy." The American out of Xtreme Couture carries a 31-7-0 record and is known for relentless output, landing 6.04 significant strikes per minute with a 76-inch reach that he uses to control range in the orthodox stance.
Van, nicknamed "The Fearless," has emerged as one of the most impressive champions in the UFC at just 24 years old. The Myanmar native owns a 17-2-0 record and holds flyweight gold, and the numbers behind his style explain why Strickland was so impressed. Van lands 8.84 significant strikes per minute at a 56 percent accuracy rate, elite figures that place him among the most efficient strikers in the promotion. Fighting out of 4oz. Fight Club, he has built that record while adding 0.84 takedowns per 15 minutes to his arsenal.
Why it matters
- Strickland's praise draws a cross-divisional spotlight onto Van and the flyweight title picture.
- Van's striking metrics — 8.84 significant strikes per minute at 56 percent accuracy — stand out even by championship standards.
- The exchange highlights a broader moment of sportsmanship from two champions performing at the top of their games on the same card.
Saturday, May 9, 2026
