Team Strickland Eyes Comeback, Discusses Potential Opponents!MMAnytt.com

Strickland’s Next Move: The Costa Fight

After losing the UFC middleweight title, Sean Strickland had several options laid out before him, but it has finally been decided that his next opponent will be Paulo Costa. Strickland (28-6 MMA, 15-6 UFC) is set to face Costa (14-3 MMA, 6-3 UFC) in the co-main event of UFC 302 on June 1st.

However, before this matchup was finalized, Eric Nicksick, Strickland’s head coach, revealed that UFC management had floated the possibility of a bout against Khamzat Chimaev. This was before the fighter, who once represented Sweden, was booked against Robert Whittaker as the main event for a UFC Fight Night.

Insights on Chimaev and Du Plessis

Sean Strickland had shown interest in a rematch with Dricus Du Plessis, who clinched the belt from Strickland via a split decision at UFC 297. Nicksick praises Du Plessis and noted that the South African had shown an immediate interest in a rematch, but UFC had other plans. “I ran into Dricus. I spoke with Dricus. The guy is top-notch. I really enjoy talking to him. We talked about the match, we talked about life, all sorts of things, and they said they had asked for a rematch against Sean.”

Nicksick also expressed that he believes Israel Adesanya is next in line for the new middleweight champion: “They tried to get the rematch, but it went another direction which probably leads to Izzy (Adesanya), and that’s okay. I understand what the UFC is trying to do, but we need to focus on Paulo Costa, we need to win that fight, and I believe that will put us right back in as title contenders.”

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Match Prediction Against Paulo Costa

Sean Strickland is gearing up to face Paulo Costa, who, after being scheduled for three fights in 2023—all of which were canceled—lost his comeback match against Robert Whittaker at UFC 298. Nicksick is optimistic about the upcoming fight and has even ventured a prediction: “I believe Sean can finish him around round 4 or 5.”

Quotes:

Eric Nicksick on the Chimaev option: “I know they were hoping for Khamzat, but I don’t think Sean can travel to Saudi Arabia or anything—I’m not 100 percent sure. But I know Khamzat’s name was discussed. Khamzat would pull a lot of crowd in Saudi Arabia, and that match is more about location than the opponent, in my opinion.”

Nicksick on Dricus Du Plessis: “I ran into Dricus. I spoke with Dricus. Dricus is top-notch, man. I really enjoy talking to him. We talked about the match, we talked about life, all sorts of things, and they said they had asked for a rematch against Sean.”

Nicksick on Israel Adesanya and the title picture: “They tried to get the rematch, but it went another direction which probably leads to Izzy (Adesanya), and that’s okay. I understand what the UFC is trying to do, but we need to focus on Paulo Costa, we need to win that fight, and I believe that will put us right back in as title contenders.”

Nicksick on the fight prediction against Costa: “I believe Sean can finish him around round 4 or 5.”