History of Sean Strickland in Timeline

Sean Strickland is an American mixed martial artist currently competing in the UFC's Middleweight division. He is the former UFC Middleweight Champion and a former Middleweight Champion of King of the Cage. As of February 2025, he holds a high ranking within the UFC middleweight division. Strickland has been a professional MMA fighter since 2008.

Sections (4)

Full Timeline Career & Achievements Success & Recognition Challenges & Struggles

February 27, 1991: Sean Strickland's Birth

On February 27, 1991, Sean Thomas Strickland was born. He is an American professional mixed martial artist.

Others born on this day/year

2008: Turned Professional

In 2008, Sean Strickland became a professional mixed martial artist.

2008: Professional Debut

In 2008, Sean Strickland made his professional debut in King of the Cage.

December 9, 2012: King of the Cage Middleweight Championship Victory

On December 9, 2012, Sean Strickland faced Josh Bryant at KOTC: Unification for the King of the Cage Middleweight Championship and won via split decision.

March 15, 2014: UFC Debut

On March 15, 2014, Sean Strickland made his UFC debut at UFC 171 against Bubba McDaniel, winning via rear-naked choke submission in the first round.

May 31, 2014: UFC Fight Night 41 Victory

On May 31, 2014, Sean Strickland fought Luke Barnatt at UFC Fight Night 41 and won via split decision, although 11 out of 11 media outlets scored the bout for Barnatt.

February 22, 2015: UFC Fight Night 61 Loss

On February 22, 2015, Sean Strickland faced Santiago Ponzinibbio at UFC Fight Night 61 in a welterweight bout, losing via unanimous decision.

July 15, 2015: UFC Fight Night 71 Victory

On July 15, 2015, Sean Strickland faced Igor Araújo at UFC Fight Night 71 and won by unanimous decision.

February 21, 2016: UFC Fight Night 83 Victory

On February 21, 2016, Sean Strickland fought Alex Garcia at UFC Fight Night 83 and won via TKO in the third round.

June 4, 2016: UFC 199 Victory

On June 4, 2016, Sean Strickland faced Tom Breese at UFC 199 and won via split decision.

August 20, 2016: Withdrawal from UFC 202

On August 20, 2016, Sean Strickland was scheduled to face Tim Means at UFC 202, but he pulled out of the fight in early August due to a knee injury.

April 8, 2017: UFC 210 Loss

On April 8, 2017, Sean Strickland faced Kamaru Usman at UFC 210 and lost the fight via unanimous decision.

November 11, 2017: UFC Fight Night 120 Victory

On November 11, 2017, Sean Strickland faced Court McGee at UFC Fight Night 120, initially announced as a majority draw but later corrected to a unanimous decision victory for Strickland due to a scoring error.

May 12, 2018: UFC 224 Loss

On May 12, 2018, Sean Strickland faced Elizeu Zaleski dos Santos at UFC 224 and lost the fight via knockout in the first round.

October 27, 2018: UFC Fight Night 138 Victory and Free Agency

On October 27, 2018, Sean Strickland faced Nordine Taleb at UFC Fight Night 138 and won via technical knockout in the second round, becoming a free agent after the fight.

December 2018: Motorcycle Accident

In December 2018, Sean Strickland was hit by a car while riding a motorcycle in Los Angeles, rendering him unconscious and causing numerous injuries that required a knee operation.

October 31, 2020: UFC Fight Night 181 Victory

On October 31, 2020, Sean Strickland faced Jack Marshman at UFC Fight Night 181, replacing Wellington Turman. Marshman missed weight, and Strickland won the fight via unanimous decision.

November 14, 2020: UFC Fight Night: Felder vs. dos Anjos Victory

On November 14, 2020, Sean Strickland replaced Ian Heinisch and faced Brendan Allen at UFC Fight Night: Felder vs. dos Anjos in a 195 lb catchweight bout, winning via technical knockout and earning the Performance of the Night award.

2020: Middleweight Boxing

Since moving to middleweight full-time in 2020, Sean Strickland's offensive style has largely revolved around boxing.

May 1, 2021: UFC on ESPN: Reyes vs. Procházka Victory

On May 1, 2021, Sean Strickland faced Krzysztof Jotko at UFC on ESPN: Reyes vs. Procházka and won the bout via unanimous decision.

June 4, 2021: Fight with Uriah Hall Moved

On June 4, 2021, the bout between Sean Strickland and Uriah Hall was moved to headline UFC on ESPN 28 on July 31, 2021.

July 31, 2021: UFC on ESPN 28 Victory

On July 31, 2021, Sean Strickland defeated Uriah Hall via unanimous decision at UFC on ESPN 28.

August 7, 2021: Original Date for the Fight

Originally, Sean Strickland was expected to face Uriah Hall on August 7, 2021, at UFC 265, but the fight was moved earlier.

November 6, 2021: Rockhold Withdraws from UFC 268

On November 6, 2021, Sean Strickland was scheduled to face Luke Rockhold at UFC 268. However, on October 11, Rockhold withdrew due to a herniated disc.

January 2022: Controversial Tweet

In January 2022, Sean Strickland responded to a question on Twitter with a controversial statement about having a gay son.

February 5, 2022: UFC Fight Night 200 Victory

On February 5, 2022, Sean Strickland faced Jack Hermansson at UFC Fight Night 200 and won the fight via split decision, although the decision was controversial.

July 2, 2022: UFC 276 Loss to Pereira

On July 2, 2022, Sean Strickland faced Alex Pereira at UFC 276 and lost the fight via knockout in the first round.

July 30, 2022: Original Date of Pereira Fight

Sean Strickland was originally scheduled to face Alex Pereira on July 30, 2022, at UFC 277, but the pairing was moved to UFC 276 on July 2, 2022.

October 15, 2022: Cancellation of Cannonier Fight

On October 15, 2022, Sean Strickland was scheduled to face Jared Cannonier at UFC Fight Night 212, but the bout was scrapped after Strickland withdrew due to a finger infection.

December 17, 2022: UFC Fight Night 216 Loss

On December 17, 2022, Sean Strickland faced Jared Cannonier at UFC Fight Night 216, losing the fight via split decision.

January 14, 2023: UFC Fight Night: Strickland vs. Imavov Victory

On January 14, 2023, Sean Strickland faced Nassourdine Imavov at UFC Fight Night: Strickland vs. Imavov, replacing Kelvin Gastelum, and won the fight via unanimous decision.

July 1, 2023: UFC on ESPN 48 Victory

On July 1, 2023, Sean Strickland faced Abusupiyan Magomedov at UFC on ESPN 48 and won the fight via TKO in the second round, earning the Performance of the Night award.

September 10, 2023: UFC Middleweight Championship Victory

On September 10, 2023, Sean Strickland faced Israel Adesanya at UFC 293 for the UFC Middleweight Championship and won the fight via unanimous decision, earning his third Performance of the Night bonus award.

December 16, 2023: Strickland Attacks Du Plessis at UFC 296

On December 16, 2023, Sean Strickland, while in attendance at UFC 296, attacked Dricus du Plessis after exchanging words, leading to Strickland being escorted out of the event.

January 18, 2024: Controversial Remarks at UFC 297 Media Day

On January 18, 2024, at UFC 297 media day, Sean Strickland responded to a reporter's question about his controversial tweet.

January 20, 2024: UFC 297 Loss

On January 20, 2024, Sean Strickland had his first title defense against Dricus du Plessis at UFC 297, losing the fight via split decision, but earning the Fight of the Night award.

June 1, 2024: UFC 302 Victory

On June 1, 2024, Sean Strickland faced Paulo Costa at UFC 302 and won the fight by split decision.

February 9, 2025: UFC 312 Loss

On February 9, 2025, Sean Strickland competed for the UFC Middleweight Championship in a rematch against Dricus du Plessis at UFC 312, losing the fight by unanimous decision.