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Sean Strickland has one goal in mind: Becoming UFC champion again.
In the co-main event of UFC 302 on Saturday, Strickland put on a clinical performance to earn a decision nod over fellow top-10 contender Paulo Costa. It was an important win for Strickland, who lost the UFC middleweight title to Dricus du Plessis via a split call this past January.
Strickland is now in good position to challenge for the belt again, and he doesn’t plan to entertain any other options at the moment.
“I’m going to wait,” Strickland said at the evening’s post-fight press conference. “I f*cking paid my f*cking dues. I paid my dues. I got f*cking robbed [at UFC 297] … we all know I got f*cking robbed, at least Dricus doesn’t back up. So I’m going to sit my f*cking ass in the gym and I’m going to be a team player and I’m going to f*cking wait, and I’m going to f*cking wait until they say, ‘Sean, go beat this man.’”
Strickland has been on impressive run since making a permanent move to 185 pounds in 2020. He has lost just three times in his past 14 fights, during which time he ended the second title reign of middleweight star Israel Adesanya and sent “The Last Stylebender” into a temporary hiatus.
Adesanya is expected to be booked for du Plessis’ first title defense, so considering Strickland’s history with the two men, he believes he deserves to fight the winner of their yet-to-be-made official clash.
“As long as it takes,” Strickland said when asked how long he’s willing to wait to fight for the title. “I want the gold. When you’re fighting these top-10 motherf*ckers, you’re only one slip and dodge away from being knocked out. I paid my penance, I did what we did, I went and fought Costa. I didn’t want to, I did it. Give me the f*cking title shot. I beat Izzy and that motherf*cker gets a title shot.”
One notable obstacle in Strickland’s way is the looming Robert Whittaker vs. Khamzat Chimaev fight, which takes place in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, on June 22. Whittaker is a former UFC champion and Khamzat Chimaev carries an undefeated record, so either man could cement themselves as No. 1 contender at 185 pounds with an impressive performance.
Strickland insists that he will be patient no matter what the matchmakers decide, but he doesn’t understand why he should have to wait too long.
“If that’s what the UFC wants, I’ll f*cking wait,” Strickland said. “The problem with these f*cking c*nts, besides Whittaker, they get a fight and they take, like, eight months off. What the f*ck? What are you guys doing with those eight months? What are you guys doing for eight months? Say yes to the fight, go f*cking fight. I don’t understand why these assh*les take so much time off.”
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