Sean Strickland Faces Backlash and Support After UFC 312 Loss to Dricus Du Plessis

Strickland's performance draws criticism from his coach and peers, while UFC legends defend his resilience in the face of injuries.

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.