Sean Strickland and homophobic head coach Eric Nicksick. We do not approve of their comments.
A huge upset in Australia this weekend as Sean Strickland brought the middleweight title back to the US, defeating Israel Adesanya by unanimous decision. MMA Media seemed to be out for the American, with no one picking Sean to win. Odds were massively in Adesanya's favor. Round 1 knockout, TikTok dance, hate crime, they had predicted it all. But no one saw what was coming. After an incredible knockdown in round 1 by Strickland, attitudes began to change. Maybe he could really do it, maybe Sean could take out Stylebender! But Adesanya rallied in the 2nd, putting on an improved performance. The Nigerian was picking up steam, and Strickland seemed to be faltering. He was going to be another blip in Adesanya's career. If he was going to win, he couldn't do it alone. A corner can make or break a fighter, and at UFC 293, examples of both were on display. Adesanya returned to his team, with Eugene Bareman giving concise tactical instructions. "Hands up, lateral movements, Izzy. We need more feints, he's biting on them already. He's checking your kicks, but we can use that to our advantage. You can switch stances and blast him to the body in those moments like this, see? He's leaving himself wide open. Alright, you need a water? Let's get this win champ." This advice from Bareman was all for naught however, as Strickland's corner put on a masterclass of coaching. Let's listen: "SEAN, WE NEED THIS WIN. THIS IS FOR AMERICA. GET THIS FUCKING WIN OR YOU'RE GAY, SEAN. SEAN LOOK AT ME, I SAID FUCKING LOOK AT ME. DO YOU LIKE SUCKING DICK? DO YOU WANNA SUCK HIS DICK (pointing at Adesanya)??? OR DO YOU WANNA BEAT THE FUCKING SHIT OUT OF THAT F**GOT? DO IT LIKE WE USED TO IN MIDDLE SCHOOL, SEAN. BUT THERE'S NO JUVY THIS TIME, JUST VICTORY. BEAT THAT HOMO'S ASS OR YOU'RE GAY, SEAN!!!" Strickland went on to win a 49-46 unanimous decision victory. Eric Nicksick, Strickland's head coach, reportedly got in the judges' faces after the end of the 5th round, mean mugging them and suggesting that if they didn't "give Strickland the W", they were gay too. There was some controversy over these tactics, with Nicksick apologizing to the company after the fight. "Sorry everyone, the energy in the room just got to me. They already dropped the F slur twice, I thought maybe I could get away with it." But other coaches have shown interest in Nicksick's methods, with Matt Serra privately telling Aljamain Sterling he's "gotta work on dropping all that gay shit" during interviews if he ever wants to beat Sean O'Malley. Strickland himself seemed to have no regrets as well, giving his corner credit. "They really pushed me to succeed, I love those guys," He then quickly added, "no homo."
Colin Gutierrez, Kalkaska Chronicle
