Sean Strickland

Sean Thomas Strickland, known as "Tarzan," is an American mixed martial artist who competes in the middleweight division of the UFC.

Born in Anaheim, California, and raised in nearby Corona, Strickland grew up in a turbulent household and found direction through martial arts as a teenager, crediting training with steering him away from a troubled adolescence. He turned professional in 2008, building his early résumé on the regional circuit with King of the Cage, where he won the promotion's middleweight championship and defended it multiple times before signing with the UFC. He has long trained out of Xtreme Couture in Las Vegas under head coach Eric Nicksick, sharpening his game alongside a deep camp of training partners.

Strickland holds a black belt in Brazilian jiu-jitsu, though he has built his UFC career primarily as a boxer. He fights out of an orthodox stance rooted in the Philly Shell guard and shoulder-roll defense, prioritizing head movement and layered guard work to slip and smother incoming shots. Offensively, he is defined by relentless forward pressure, a high volume of jabs, and sharp right hands, wearing opponents down over the course of a fight rather than hunting for a single knockout blow. His wrestling is used mostly to stuff takedowns and keep fights standing, where his boxing advantage is greatest.

Among his signature career moments is his win over Israel Adesanya at UFC 293, a lopsided decision upset that made him UFC middleweight champion. His UFC ledger also includes notable victories over Paulo Costa and Khamzat Chimaev, the latter making him a two-time champion, as well as two title fights against Dricus du Plessis