This Saturday at UFC 312, Sean Strickland has the chance to exact revenge on Dricus Du Plessis when the two clash in a rematch for the middleweight title.
Last January, Sean Strickland‘s short and surprising middleweight title reign came to an end when he was dethroned by Dricus Du Plessis at UFC 297.
‘Stillknocks’ then went on to defend his title against Israel Adesanya, submitting him in the fourth round to retain his title.
During that time, Strickland only picked up a win against the regressing Paulo Costa but despite that, he was surprisingly awarded another title shot ahead of Khamzat Chimaev, who Du Plessis claimed he would’ve preferred to fight.
Sean Strickland performs dangerous backflips just hours before UFC 312 title fight
Ahead of their rematch at UFC 312 in Australia, things have been a little tamer, which is a stark difference from their first meeting in which Du Plessis made Strickland cry in their pre-fight press conference.
As seems to be the norm in MMA these days, eagle-eyed fans noticed when the UFC released their official images of the fighters in their fight kits, Sean Strickland had what seemed to be staph infection on his left arm.
The middleweight champion didn’t exactly dismiss the claims when he was asked about it at the pre-fight press conference which caused concern amongst the fanbase.
However, that isn’t the only thing that Strickland has done to cause concern just hours before his title fight.
The 33-year-old shared a video on his social media of him standing on a thin metal structure above the ocean partaking in a Gladiator-type battle. One by one, people stepped up to try and dangerously push him off and into the water.
‘Tarzan’ then began to perform backflips from the metal structure, which has resulted in horror stories historically.
Sean Strickland’s history of controversy ahead of fights
Although Strickland’s antics will likely have resulted in gritted teeth from UFC boss, Dana White, it isn’t the first time the former champion’s antics prior to fights have raised eyebrows.
It has become a regular occurrence for Strickland to invite people into the Xtreme Couture gym to take him on in sparring and that has included a former NAVY Seal, who he butchered in the cage.
Controversially, it has also included the battering of a social media streamer who has no previous combat sports experience.