Overview

• Sean Strickland lost to Dricus Du Plessis via unanimous decision at UFC 312, marking his second defeat to the middleweight champion in 13 months.
• Criticism poured in from fans, former fighters, and even Strickland’s coach, Eric Nicksick, who called the performance 'uninspiring' and 'underwhelming.'
• Strickland defended himself, citing a difficult training camp that included a broken arm, staph infection, and logistical challenges leading up to the fight.
• UFC legends Daniel Cormier and Chael Sonnen publicly supported Strickland, commending his decision to continue fighting despite a broken nose and other setbacks.
• The fallout from the loss led to Strickland parting ways with his coach, signaling a potential shift in his training approach moving forward.