Sean Strickland Staying on Brand Ahead of UFC 293

“In five years, I’ll be retired. No one will give a f--- about me, no one will give a f--- about this.”

Sean Strickland has earned a spot in the main event of a UFC pay-per-view.

Long considered good but not great, Strickland has won eight of his last 10 bouts, but was not considered worthy of a title shot. Instead, Israel Adesanya expected to defend his middleweight championship against Dricus du Plessis, who defeated Robert Whittaker in stunning fashion this past July in a title eliminator. But the bout against Adesanya failed to materialize after Du Plessis wanted more time to heal and prepare. Yet, when opportunity came knocking for Strickland, he did not hesitate to accept the title fight, despite the fact he also fought in July.

When asked to reflect on what this moment means to him, Strickland answered in signature fashion.

“In five years, I’ll be retired,” he said. “No one will give a f--- about me, no one will give a f--- about this.”

Never to be mistaken with Longfellow, that quote was a Strickland original. And he is wise to downplay this moment. Not only is it on brand, but he is also likely to get knocked into oblivion by Adesanya. He has nothing to lose by underselling himself.

“At the end of the day, I take my clothes off, I go fight another man, and I get a check for it,” said Strickland. “That’s what this is.”

There was a fleeting moment where Strickland became serious. When discussing whether his forward pressure can combat Adesanya’s lateral movement, Strickland briefly turned introspective.

“I’m excited to see how those styles mesh,” said Strickland. “That’s why we’re doing this, right? It’s going to be interesting.”

And that was it. Nonstop irreverence and expletives filled out the remainder of the interview, offering all style and no substance.

Strickland knows what he is doing. His style has helped bring him this far, and though it is highly unlikely he defeats Adesanya, he will expand his fan base from this ephemeral moment in time.

His 15 minutes are nearly expired, so he may as well make the most of the time that is left.

“I don’t give a f---,” said Strickland. “If I didn’t have this fight, I’d have another one. But the money is nicer in this one.”