MMA Knockout

Sean Strickland Called Out by Old Rival: 'Here's Your Chance to Redeem Your Man Card'

Is this the next fight to make for the UFC middleweight title?

Mathew Riddle

Sean Strickland Called Out by Old Rival: 'Here's Your Chance to Redeem Your Man Card'
Sean Strickland Called Out by Old Rival: 'Here's Your Chance to Redeem Your Man Card' /

Jared "The Killa Gorilla" Cannonier has called out Sean Strickland for a rematch. The two last fought in December 2022 with Cannonier coming out on top. Now that Strickland pulled off the unthinkable by dethroning Israel Adesanya at UFC 293, Cannonier has taken the opportunity to remind Strickland of his defeat:

VIDEO: Sean Strickland Shocks Israel Adesanya, Wins UFC Title

"If you're a true hand to hand combat fan like me and not in it for the [clown] ass actors and their theatrics," Cannonier announced in an Instagram post on September 14. "Then you know this is the fight to make.

"I beat the champ and got two checks to prove it. He wasn't walking me down screaming in my face either. Nobody does that to me. The only other [middleweight] to beat him has ascended. He fought him differently than he fought me as well.

"On top of that he said it himself that he "fought like a b****" so here's your chance to redeem your man card [Sean Strickland], let's actually do the man dance brother."

Their first fight was a highly contentious split decision, with seven of 20 media members scoring it in favor of Strickland. Interestingly, judges Derek Cleary and Sal D'Amato had directly opposite scorecards for the fight.

"I just want to ask a judge when you go back and look at the data do you ever feel bad for robbing guys because you don't know a damn thing about fighting??" Strickland reacted to his defeat to Cannonier.

Since that fight, Cannonier has picked up another victory against Marvin Vettori. Strickland recouped by quickly picking up another two wins against Nassourdine Imavov and Abus Magomedov, before dominating Adesanya for the middleweight title.

A rematch could be in order considering the win streak of both gentlemen and their differing opinions of the result of the first fight.

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Mathew Riddle
MATHEW RIDDLE

Mathew is a UK-based combat sports journalist, graphic designer, and SEO expert with over five years of experience in digital marketing and a dedicated four-year track record in MMA journalism. He joined MMAKO in 2023. Mathew's insights have been featured on The Fight Fanatic, Heavy on UFC, Fansided, and Sportskeeda. Reach him at mr@thefightfanatic.com.

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