The MMA world has reacted after Sean Strickland returned to winning ways at UFC Houston by stopping surging contender Anthony Hernandez and snapping the 32-year-old’s 8-fight UFC win streak.
Earlier tonight, after leading the dance for two frames at the Toyota Center in Houston and stealing rounds with his signature jab alone, “Tarzan” upped the pace and delivered a clinical stoppage against “Fluffy” at the 2:33 mark of Round 3, firmly inserting his name back into the title picture.
After getting his hand raised, the former champion wasted no time calling out reigning UFC middleweight kingpin Khamzat Chimaev, who is yet to make the first defense of his title.
The MMA world reacts as Sean Strickland TKOs Anthony Hernandez in the UFC Houston main event
Several fighters and notable names in the MMA community lauded Sean Strickland’s striking masterclass at UFC Houston.
Former UFC double champion Conor McGregor hailed Strickland as “great.
“That’s what nothing but hours and hours of sparring gets you. Just show up and sh*t spar everyday and voila! Overthink nothing. Who gives a fu*k! Haha! Sean is great!”
After Strickland’s UFC Houston win, “The Notorious” took the opportunity to coin the term “sh*t sparring.”
“If you spar in a big group, alternating each round, and it’s sloppy and messy and ugly, and no one gives a fu*k, and it’s no ego, and nothing matters, that is valid training to become a World Champion in our game. I hereby coin the term “sh*t sparring.” It is a real thing and it…”
Meanwhile, Henry Cejudo, who wants Sean Strickland vs. Nassourdine Imavov 2 for the vacant middleweight title at the White House, posted:
“Strickland vs Imavov for the vacant middleweight title should be the main card opener at the White House #UFCHouston”
Former UFC welterweight champ Belal Muhammad wrote on X:
“Fluffy krptonite is the body.”
Nassourdine Imavov, who wants to run it back with “Tarzan,” posted:
“My dream. Bring me the clown for the crown @ufc #UFCHouston.”
Mike Perry wrote:
“Congrats @SStricklandMMA, post fight speech about to be…”
Terrance McKinney chimed in:
“Sean looked lock in nasty work just was a step a head all night”
Nazim Sadykhov, who wants Chimaev vs Strickland next, added:
“Strickland vs Chimaev”
Nina-Marie Daniele shared her reaction while watching the UFC Houston headliner with Merab Dvalishvili:
“Congratulations, Sean Strickland LFG”
The MMA Guru congratulated “Tarzan.”
“SEAN STRICKLAND WITH A GENERATIONAL PERFORMANCE AGAINST A DANGEROUS PROSPECT IN ANTHONY HERNANDEZ POPS HIM WITH THE JAB EARLY, STUFF ALL HIS TAKEDOWNS THEN AS I PREDICTED HURTS FLUFFY TO THE BODY AND FINISHES BY TKO IN ROUND 3! #UFCHouston”
Lastly, Khamzat Chimaev asked Strickland to calm down:
“Habibi, calm down, I destroyed the guy who beat you twice 🤫 American b*tch 😂”
