The MMA world has reacted after Sean Strickland returned to winning ways at UFC Houston by stopping rising contender Anthony Hernandez and snapping the 32-year-old UFC eight-fight win streak.
Earlier tonight, after leading the dance for two frames at the Toyota Center in Houston and stealing rounds with just his signature jab, “Tarzan” upped the pace and delivered a clinical stoppage against “Fluffy” at 2:33 of Round 3, putting his name firmly back in the title picture.
After raising his hand, the former champion wasted no time in calling out reigning UFC middleweight king Khamzat Chimaev, who has yet to defend his title for the first time.
The MMA world reacts as Sean Strickland TKOs Anthony Hernandez in the UFC Houston main event
Several fighters and household names in the MMA community praised Sean Strickland’s striking masterclass at UFC Houston.
Former UFC two-time champion Conor McGregor called Strickland “amazing.
“That’s what hours and hours of sparring only get you. Just show up and spar sh*t every day and voila! Don’t overthink anything. Who cares! Haha! Sean is awesome!”
Following Strickland’s win at UFC Houston, “The Notorious” took the opportunity to coin the term “sh*t sparring.”
“If you spar in a large group, alternating every round, and it’s sloppy and messy and ugly, and no one cares, and it’s no ego, and nothing matters, that’s valid training to become a world champion in our game. I use the term “sh*t sparring.” It’s real and it…
Meanwhile, Henry Cejudo, who posted Sean Strickland vs. Nassourdine Imavov 2 wants for the vacant middleweight title in the White House:
“Strickland vs Imavov for the vacant middleweight title should be the main card opener at the White House #UFCHouston”
Former UFC welterweight champion Belal Muhammad wrote on X:
“Fluffy krptonite is the body.”
Nassourdine Imavov, who wants to bring it back with ‘Tarzan’, wrote:
“My dream. Bring me the clown for the crown @ufc #UFCHouston.”
Mike Perry wrote:
“Congratulations @SStricklandMMA, post-fight speech about to…”
Terrance McKinney chimed in:
“Sean seemed stuck in dirty work but was one step ahead all night”
Nazim Sadykhov, who wants Chimaev against Strickland next, added:
“Strickland vs. Chimaev”
Nina-Marie Daniele shared her reaction while watching the UFC Houston headliner with Merab Dvalishvili:
“Congratulations, Sean Strickland LFG”
The MMA guru congratulated ‘Tarzan’.
“SEAN STRICKLAND WITH A GENERATIONAL PERFORMANCE AGAINST A DANGEROUS PROSPECT IN ANTHONY HERNANDEZ POP HIM EARLY WITH THE JAB, THEN FILL ALL HIS TAKEDOWNS, AS I PREDICTTED, PURPLE POWDER TO THE BODY AND FINISH BY TKO IN ROUND 3! #UFCHouston”
Finally, Khamzat Chimaev asked Strickland to calm down:
“Habibi, calm down, I destroyed the man who beat you twice 🤫 American b*tch 😂”
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