Sean Strickland has been spotted in a grappling session with UFC lightweight Anshul Jubli. The training footage highlights Strickland's continued work on the mat alongside fighters from outside his usual camp.
Middleweight champion Sean Strickland was recently filmed in a grappling session alongside UFC lightweight Anshul Jubli, with footage of the training exchange circulating publicly on June 28, 2026.
Strickland, known by his nickname "Tarzan," holds a 31-7-0 record and currently sits atop the middleweight division at 35 years old. The American fighter, who trains out of Xtreme Couture, carries a 76-inch reach and fights out of an orthodox stance. He lands an impressive 6.04 significant strikes per minute and has built his reputation primarily as a high-volume boxer, though he does show occasional grappling activity, averaging 0.71 takedowns per 15 minutes across his career.
Jubli, nicknamed "King of Lions," is a 31-year-old Indian lightweight competing with a 7-2-0 record. He trains out of Tiger Muay Thai and fights from a switch stance, standing six feet tall with a 69-inch reach. Jubli is a sharp striker in his own right, landing 6.42 significant strikes per minute at 46 percent accuracy, while also attempting submissions at a rate of 0.4 per 15 minutes — slightly more active on the mat than Strickland.
Why it matters
- Strickland stepping outside his usual camp to grapple with a lightweight shows a deliberate focus on mat-based development.
- Jubli's submission attempt rate and grappling activity make him a useful training partner for a champion looking to sharpen ground defense.
- The session underlines a growing trend of established champions cross-training with fighters from different weight classes and teams.
