Fight fans might be at the edge of their seats waiting for Strickland vs. Adesanya. However, Strickland’s coach Eric Nicksick knows the challenge he will face in the octagon. Continue reading to find out how he is preparing for the bout and Nicksick’s views on the match-up.
Strickland was summoned for the championship fight against middleweight champion Adesanya at Qudos Bank Arena in Sydney on Sept. 9 after Dricus Du Plessis could not make a rapid turnaround. The main event airs on pay-per-view after prelims on ESPN and ESPN+. Stickland had been in the UFC’s top 10, but losses to Alex Pereira and Jared Cannonier had ended his title hopes. But now that he’s gotten the call after beating Nassourdine Imavov and Abus Magomedov back-to-back, Nicksick believes it’s an opportunity they couldn’t pass up.
Nicksick shared with ESPN that this is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity. He recounted a recent conversation he had with Sean in the gym, just the two of them. Sean expressed that this might be his sole shot at a title, and you could sense the excitement in him about taking on this challenge.
Nicksick believes that everyone who steps into the UFC does so with dreams of becoming a world champion. He’s convinced that Sean’s heart is in the right place, given the effort he’s been putting in, going the extra mile to give his best against Israel Adesanya, who’s considered one of the best in the game. Nicksick acknowledges that it’s a tough road ahead, but they’re prepared and ready to face the challenge head-on.
Nicksick isn’t too worried about Strickland taking the fight on short notice. He’s convinced that Sean is always hitting the gym, which makes him well-prepared. “It’s just how Sean operates. He’s a gym rat,” Nicksick explained. “We’ve been expecting a chance like this, and I had a feeling it might happen.”
The idea of a title shot alone is a significant motivator for Sean. Nicksick’s perspective is that they’ve had enough time to get ready, so he’s not buying into the “short notice” factor. According to him, they’ve had a game plan from the start: keep Sean training hard at the gym, and they’ll be good to go, no last-minute scrambling needed.
Do you think Sean’s dedication to the gym will give him an edge in this fight? Let us know your thoughts!
