Sean Strickland is back on track, edging past Paulo Costa with a decision win. In a slow-paced fight at UFC 302, Costa was at the receiving end of many of Strickland’s defensive pushes and jabs. But the slow matter caught up in many reactions. People cheered the “True American” champion, booed his performance, and yet got on the bandwagon again when he addressed Donald Trump.
Playing an extremely tight number game, Sean Strickland boosted his defense to a split decision win (46-49, 50-45, 49-46). Paulo Costa received a nod on the scorecard, which caused much controversy. Nevertheless, Strickland shifted the controversy with praiseworthy words for Donald Trump. By referring to the recent guilty verdict, Strickland accused the Democrats of intentionally trying to sabotage Trump.
President Trump, you’re the man, bro…It’s a damn travesty what they’re doing to you. I’ll be donating [to] you, my man…Let’s get it done…
Sean Strickland during his UFC 302 Octagon Interview
Trump hasn’t been on a good roll recently. A Manhattan jury recently found the ex-prez guilty on all 34 counts of falsifying business records in hush money payments. Hence, his march into the crowd at the Prudential Center at UFC 302 was quite a sight. The whole MMA clique on 15 Lafayette St Newark, NJ, was baffled and rousing with a hero’s welcome at the same time.
BREAKING: Former UFC champion Sean Strickland shouts out Trump in his post-fight victory speech.
“President Trump, you’re the man… It is a d*mn travesty what they are doing to you. I’ll be donating to you, my man.” pic.twitter.com/M8YQ3jpyTX
— Leading Report (@LeadingReport) June 2, 2024
The 33-year-old American middleweight banked on the sentiment before even uttering a word of his fight. He even lambasted legal authorities for girding Trump two days after his conviction. Promising fans a “bloodbath,” UFC 302 was not what he envisioned. Still, a win’s a win, especially after the arousing allure of mentioning Trump. Let it never be said Strickland is soggy or bland on the mic.
‘Patient’ Sean Strickland ready to wait for UFC title shot
Following a split decision over Paulo Costa on Saturday, Strickland (29-6 MMA, 16-6 UFC) is gearing up for what’s next. Consequently, the only thing that can be next is undisputed middleweight gold. Like many peers and fans were expecting, his loss in January didn’t incentivize him hard enough to go to war. Conversely, and funnily, his slow win with ‘Borrachinha’ has fuelled him for title aspiration instead.
Sean Strickland awaits another chance at gold after UFC 302, however long it takes (Source: IMAGO/ringtv.com)After outpointing Costa in the co-main event of UFC 302, he plans to sit out for Dricus Du Plesiss’ maiden defense as long as it takes. He finds it even more justifiable to call for a title shot, being at the top of the pecking order.
I’m going to wait, I fu*king paid my fu*king dues…I got robbed in dirty fu*king Canada [at UFC 297]… I got robbed there. We all know I got fu*king robbed, so I’m going to sit on my a** in the gym, and I’m going to be a team player…and I’m going to fu*king wait…until they say, ‘Sean, go beat this fu*king man.’
Sean Strickland during his UFC 302 post-fight presser
The current middleweight championship eliminator booking takes place later this month. Robert Whittaker meets Khamzat Chimaev at UFC on ABC 6, with clear top contender implications. Meanwhile, former champ Israel Adesanya is on the rumor mill to be Du Plessis’ first defense. They can meet at UFC 305, Live From RAC Arena In Perth, Western Australia, on August 17.
That might be the case, with Adesanya being a top draw and boasting a top non-domestic gate in Australia. He and Du Plessis have had a rivalry going for the mettle of the one “True African” champion. Sean Strickland is, however, out to make his mark in the title picture at 185 pounds. It remains to be seen if Strickland eventually receives another title shot.
