LAS VEGAS – Sean Strickland thinks it’s only fair the UFC gives him a title shot based on recent contributions.
Saturday at UFC on ESPN 47, Strickland (27-5 MMA, 14-5 UFC) defeated a relative newcomer to the promotion’s middleweight division when he finished Abus Magomedov (25-5-1 MMA, 1-1 UFC) in Round 2 of the card’s main event.
Despite Strickland’s status as a top contender, Magomedov was unranked and in just his second UFC bout. The matchup wasn’t the first Strickland took fighting significantly backward in the rankings. In January, he defeated rising French fighter Nassourdine Imavov by unanimous decision.
Willing to accept challenges with risk but little reward, Strickland wants the next crack at UFC middleweight champion Israel Adesanya, he said at a post-fight news conference.
“F*ck, man. It needs to happen, you guys,” Strickland told MMA Junkie and other reporters. “We know Izzy is on f*cking repeat, dude. They try to bring Abus (in). This is what the UFC said, ‘Man, the middleweight division is stagnant. Let’s get Abus in here. He might beat Sean.’ And I’m like, ‘Yeah right, mother f*cker. Wait until you see what happens. Every time they’ve tried to bring new blood, (like) the Frenchie I fought before, I sent him home. This guy, I sent him back. Every time they try to bring new blood in, I send them back. Give me the f*cking title. I earned it.”
“… The one before that, I fought the other guy they were trying to (push), their last phenom that they were trying to (push). I took that guy on three-day f*cking notice. I took him on in a five-round war and won every f*cking round. I paid my dues. I’ve f*cking paid my dues. Give me that sh*t.”
Adesanya (24-2 MMA, 13-2 UFC) does not currently have a fight on the books, but many fans and media members expect him to return Sept. 9 at UFC 293, which takes place in Sydney, Australia.
His next challenger has not yet been confirmed, though an important fight between Robert Whittaker (24-6 MMA, 15-4 UFC) and Dricus Du Plessis (19-2 MMA, 5-0 UFC) could decide that at next Saturday’s UFC 290 in Las Vegas.
Strickland thinks there’s a higher likelihood he gets a title shot if former champion and multitime title challenger Whittaker wins, rather than Du Plessis, who has never challenged for a UFC title.
“One hundred percent (I’m next),” Strickland said. “Even if Dricus f*cking (wins). If he beats (Whittaker), sure, what the f*ck ever. I’m a good sport, man. You beat Whittaker, sure, I’m a f*cking good sport. I f*cking need it, dude. I want it. You guys, the fans, want it. You f*cking want it. Come on, you guys.”
For more on the card, visit MMA Junkie’s event hub for UFC on ESPN 47.
