When "fat" and "happy" Sean Strickland explained why he decided against pursuing UFC welterweight title shot: "I could win the belt"
Former UFC middleweight champ Sean Strickland once claimed he'd have been able to win the welterweight title if he had stuck it out in the 170-pound division. Although 'Tarzan' is currently a mainstay at middleweight and has previously held the title, Strickland originally spent the majority of his early UFC career at welterweight.
Between 2015-2018, Strickland fought eight times at 170 pounds, going 5-3. The most notable amongst those bouts was a clash against Kamaru Usman, which saw 'The Nigerian Nightmare' take home the unanimous decision victory.
Strickland then opted to take a break from MMA in 2018 to facilitate a step up to middleweight. He returned in 2020 and has never looked back, fighting 11 times at 185 pounds or higher since, which includes him winning the middleweight title in stunning fashion against Israel Adesanya.
Back in April 2023, Strickland was then interviewed by Helen Yee and was asked about Alex Pereira, who at the time had just lost to Israel Adesanya and had stated he would be moving up to 205 pounds.
Sean Strickland then compared the move to his from 170 pounds to 185 pounds, claiming he could have stayed at welterweight and won the title, but he didn't want to be miserable from the weight cut. He said:
"You take me at welterweight, If I went back down to welterweight I legitametly think I could win the belt. But at welterweight I hate f*cking life, I'm a miserable mother f*cker. At middleweight I'm fat and I'm happy. I had a f*cking cheeseburger for breakfast...I'm a happy mother f*cker."
Catch Sean Strickland's comments here (2:43):
Sean Strickland ready to "die" when he faces Paulo Costa at UFC 302
Sean Strickland is willing to put it all on the line when he faces Paulo Costa at UFC 302 next weekend.
The two middleweight stars are set to collide in the co-headliner on the night, which takes place on June 1 at the Prudential Center In Newark, New Jersey. Both men are seeking a run at the title, with each heading into the fight coming off a loss.
In his last fight, Strickland narrowly lost his middleweight title via split decision to Dricus Du Plessis, whereas Costa was defeated by Robert Whittaker in a back-and-forth contest.
Ahead of his bout against Costa, 'Tarzan' appeared in the official UFC 302 Countdown video on YouTube. He then promised fans his bout against the Brazilian would be a war in which he was prepared to "die". He said:
UFC 302, man, it's going to be a bloodbath...It's going to be a 25-minute war...But mentally, as always, I'm ready to die for what I want. And I think I'm going to pick him apart."
Catch Strickland's comments here (45:50):