The UFC middleweight aspirant, Sean Strickland, saw his dreams of recapturing the title dashed following his defeat by Dricus Du Plessis. Strickland had expressed his desire for a match focused on upright striking, and he certainly got what he asked for. Regrettably, the outcome was not in his favor as he lost the match convincingly.
Following the defeat, there emerged a barrage of questions about Strickland’s strategy for the championship battle. Even his coach appeared to be unable to suppress his dissatisfaction with the approach taken, publically airing his grievances. A critique of Strickland’s fighting methodology was voiced by none other than Eric Nicksick, his own coach.
Strickland, understandably upset by this public criticism, found an unlikely supporter in UFC veteran Chael Sonnen. In a recent video appearance, Sonnen portrayed Nicksick’s criticism as straightforward and honest. He communicated that Nicksick refrained from excessive verbosity or doublespeak, opting for a brevity that avoided any misinterpretations.
Sonnen commented, “Eric Nicksick, in his capacity as a coach, didn’t use any confusing language or unnecessarily elaborate wording. He certainly was not one to waste people’s time with long-winded explanations or digressions. He also avoided the temptation to threaten to quit, drag finances into the matter, or introduce any personal elements into the critique. Furthermore, he was careful not to resort to foul language.”
Sonnen also jumped to Nicksick’s defense, supporting his clear and unambiguous form of communication. In his opinion, this was precisely what athletes needed for their improvement. Unfortunately, despite this endorsement of Nicksick by Sonnen, it appears that Strickland is ready to part ways with his coach.
The evidence suggests that Eric Nicksick’s public expression of distress following the fight has had a profound impact on Sean Strickland. ‘Tarzan’, as he is known, delivered a reflective update, indicating that he has decided to cut ties with his long-standing coach. This announcement was disseminated through a video post on his social media platforms.
In the video announcement, Strickland remarked, “I respect Eric and consider him a friend. That will continue to be the case. However, the chances of him being in my corner for future bouts are quite slim.” Throughout the duration of the contest, Nicksick had continually encouraged Strickland to display more assertiveness. However, Strickland’s performance revealed a tentative fighter, and, as a result, he suffered a defeat by unanimous decision.
Therefore, considering these recent disagreements, it’s uncertain how this situation will evolve in the upcoming days. Strickland and Nicksick’s professional relationship is seemingly at a crossroads. The former champion’s narrative has taken a turn, and the uncertainty makes it intriguing to see what will transpire next.