Chris Curtis delves deep into the enigmatic style of Sean Strickland: ‘Everything he does is, on paper, wrong’
In the electrifying world of mixed martial arts, it’s not every day that you witness an underdog claim the championship title in a way that defies all odds and expectations. Yet, that’s precisely what happened this past Saturday at UFC 293 when Sean Strickland faced off against the formidable Israel Adesanya, widely known as “The Last Stylebender.” Strickland didn’t just win; he did so in a manner that left everyone in awe and, quite frankly, puzzled.
Even for someone like Chris Curtis, who knows Sean Strickland intimately as a training partner and teammate, the performance was nothing short of astonishing. Strickland emerged victorious, securing the middleweight title and doing so by outstriking Adesanya, a feat few believed possible. Adesanya’s coach, Eugene Bareman, suggested that his fighter had an “off night,” but Curtis shed light on a common phenomenon – the initial bewilderment that opponents experience when they face Strickland.
Curtis explained, “If you watch Sean spar anybody, it goes very similar to that. I’ve seen him spar a bunch of people. You can get better fighting against Sean, but every time someone has their first rounds with Sean, it goes exactly this way. Where people are like, ‘What the hell is going on?’”
Strickland’s fighting style is unorthodox, to say the least. “Everything he does is, on paper, wrong,” Curtis noted. Strickland’s movements are unconventional, his strikes unpredictable, and his defense baffling. He employs kung fu blocks and excels at neutralizing his opponents’ strengths. Curtis elaborated on the significance of the jab in combat sports, emphasizing that Strickland’s ability to nullify it can leave opponents feeling lost. “So all that bulls*** about Izzy looked different, no, you look confused like I looked confused and everyone else looks confused when they spar Sean because it’s like, ‘What are you doing?’”
Strickland’s journey to the title fight at UFC 293 was unconventional in itself. While he wasn’t the first choice for the bout, circumstances led him to seize the opportunity. His performance at 185 pounds in recent years had put him on the UFC’s radar, and when the opportunity arose, he didn’t hesitate. Curtis expressed his belief in Strickland’s abilities but admitted that even he was taken aback by the manner in which Strickland executed his victory.
“Sean is probably the toughest human being that I’ve met when it comes to fighting,” Curtis said. “I knew he could win this fight, I didn’t think he would make it look that easy. I don’t think he thought that he would make it look that easy.”
Curtis attributed a significant part of Strickland’s success to coach Danny Davis Jr., who emphasized checking Adesanya’s low kicks and hand fighting. These aspects of the fight allowed Strickland to dominate the action, while Adesanya struggled to establish any offense or range.
Despite the talk of Strickland’s wrestling abilities being part of the game plan, the fight played out as a kickboxing match. Curtis admitted, “I was like, ‘He’s trained to wrestle, but it’s Sean, so he’s going to get in there and…’ I said he’s probably going to in there and have a kickboxing match. Lo and behold, he went in there and he freaking won a kickboxing match against Izzy. I don’t think anyone saw that coming.”
The surprise didn’t stop there. In the first round, Strickland nearly finished Adesanya with a powerful 1-2 combination. Curtis, who was part of a UFC watch party, recounted the moment with astonishment. “So when Izzy went down I went, ‘OK, he’s down, he’s landing shots’ and part of me was like ‘Oh my God if he finishes Izzy in one round, the world’s going to implode.’”
In the end, Strickland didn’t just win; he executed his game plan flawlessly. Curtis marveled at Strickland’s near-perfect performance, stating, “I’ve never seen someone bat a thousand like that, he just did everything right. I don’t think he made a mistake that fight.”
In the unpredictable world of mixed martial arts, Sean Strickland’s unconventional style and unexpected victory at UFC 293 have left fans and fighters alike with a newfound respect for his unorthodox approach to the sport. It’s a testament to the fact that, sometimes, what appears “wrong” on paper can lead to extraordinary success inside the octagon.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) about Sean Strickland’s Unorthodox Style
What makes Sean Strickland’s fighting style unorthodox?
Sean Strickland’s fighting style is unorthodox because he does everything “on paper, wrong.” He moves strangely, throws unpredictable strikes, and excels at neutralizing opponents’ strengths.
How did Sean Strickland manage to beat Israel Adesanya?
Strickland defeated Israel Adesanya by outstriking him, a feat few believed possible. He nullified Adesanya’s jab, disrupted his rhythm, and controlled the fight with an unconventional approach.
Was Sean Strickland expected to win the title at UFC 293?
Strickland wasn’t the first choice for the title fight, but injuries led to the opportunity. Even though he was considered a tough contender, his dominant performance surprised many, including his training partner Chris Curtis.
What role did Strickland’s coach play in his victory?
Coach Danny Davis Jr. emphasized checking low kicks and hand fighting, which proved crucial in Strickland’s success. Despite talk of wrestling, Strickland executed a near-perfect kickboxing match against Adesanya.
How close was Sean Strickland to finishing the fight in the first round?
In the first round, Strickland almost finished Adesanya with a powerful combination. Curtis, who witnessed the fight, expressed amazement and speculated on the world’s reaction if Strickland had secured a quick victory.
More about Sean Strickland’s Unorthodox Style
- UFC 293 Recap: Strickland vs. Adesanya
- Sean Strickland’s Fighter Profile
- Israel Adesanya’s Fighter Profile
- The MMA Hour Interview with Chris Curtis
- Mixed Martial Arts (MMA) Overview
- Xtreme Couture Gym
