Eric Nicksick Backs Sean Strickland’s Wrestling Ahead of Houston Main Event vs. Anthony Hernandez

Overview

• Strickland faces Anthony Hernandez in the UFC Fight Night 267 headliner on Feb. 21 at Toyota Center in Houston, airing on Paramount+.
• Strickland’s coach says his wrestling and ground game are stronger than typically shown and could even test Khamzat Chimaev.
• Nicksick warns that Hernandez excels with mat returns, suffocating pressure, and damaging ground-and-pound.
• Following frustration after the UFC 312 loss to Dricus Du Plessis, Nicksick says the relationship is repaired and he will be in Strickland’s corner.
• The matchup is being discussed as a step toward middleweight title contention, with Hernandez drawing stylistic comparisons to Chimaev.