Sean Strickland expressed respect for Joshua Van following their fights at UFC 328. Strickland revealed he watched Van's bout and told his coach that he wanted to fight the same way. He called Van a tougher fighter than himself. The post notes that both fighters performed at a high level on the card, with Strickland complimenting Van's aggressive style and resilience.
Sean Strickland took time after UFC 328 on May 9 to publicly praise flyweight champion Joshua Van, calling the 24-year-old a tougher fighter than himself following their respective performances on the card.
Strickland, the reigning middleweight champion, revealed he watched Van's fight and told his coach afterward that he wanted to compete in the same manner. The compliment speaks volumes coming from one of the sport's most aggressive and durable competitors.
Strickland, 35, carries a 31-7-0 record and has built his reputation at middleweight on relentless forward pressure and high output. Fighting out of Xtreme Couture, the six-foot-one American lands 6.04 significant strikes per minute, a pace that puts him among the busier fighters in his division.
Van, fighting out of 4oz. Fight Club in Myanmar, has quickly established himself as one of the most exciting champions in the UFC. At just 24 years old, the flyweight titleholder holds a 17-2-0 record and produces striking numbers that stand out even by championship standards. He lands 8.84 significant strikes per minute at a 56 percent accuracy rate, a combination that suggests not only volume but precision. His five-foot-five frame and a 65-inch reach make those numbers all the more striking.
Why it matters
- Van's striking output of 8.84 significant strikes per minute dwarfs the flyweight division average, and Strickland's public admiration amplifies the young champion's growing profile.
- Strickland's endorsement, unsolicited and directed at his own coach, adds credibility to Van's performance given how rarely the middleweight champion offers such praise.
- Both men holding championship gold across separate divisions performing on the same card underlines the depth of talent UFC 328 delivered.
Saturday, May 9, 2026
