Discover the strengths and weaknesses of Sean Strickland’s unique fighting style. Learn why his over-reliance on the jab may have cost him his recent title defense at UFC 297. Find out what former champion Michael Bisping has to say about Strickland’s fighting strategy.
| Key Points |
|---|
| Sean Strickland’s unique fighting style has garnered attention since his win over Israel Adesanya at UFC 293. |
| His reliance on the jab and defensive approach have been effective in previous fights. |
| However, in his recent title defense against Dricus Du Plessis at UFC 297, Strickland’s over-reliance on the jab allowed his opponent to gain an advantage. |
| Former champion Michael Bisping believes Strickland needs to add more tools to his arsenal and be more aggressive in his fights. |
| The three D’s – damage, duration, and dominance – play a crucial role in scoring fights. |
| Strickland must evolve his fighting style and incorporate a wider range of strikes to secure future victories. |
The Unconventional Fighting Style
Sean Strickland’s fighting style has been the talk of the town ever since his surprising victory over Israel Adesanya at UFC 293. Unlike traditional fighters, Strickland relies heavily on a few simple principles that have proven to be highly effective. He stays behind his jab, never compromising his defensive position, and constantly keeps his opponents on the backfoot.
However, his recent middleweight title defense at UFC 297 against Dricus Du Plessis didn’t go as planned. Strickland lost the fight in a split decision, and some believe that his greatest strength may have been his downfall.
Over-Reliance on the Jab
In the opening round of the main event, Strickland seemed to be executing his game plan perfectly. He consistently landed jabs on Du Plessis while maintaining his own safety. But as the fight progressed, Du Plessis made adjustments to avoid being pressured and started landing flashy strikes.
Former middleweight champion, Michael Bisping, analyzed the fight in a YouTube video and pointed out that Strickland’s over-reliance on the jab and lack of other tools allowed Du Plessis to gain an advantage on the scorecards.
According to Bisping, "Sean had great takedown defense, great jiu-jitsu, beautiful striking, and of course, the jab is one of the best in mixed martial arts. But he needs to add more to his arsenal. Fighting just behind the jab wasn’t enough, and it may have cost him the decision."
The Three D’s: Damage, Duration, Dominance
Bisping emphasized the importance of throwing big kicks, being aggressive, and showcasing a variety of strikes. He explained that scoring a fight is based on the three D’s: damage, duration, and dominance. If the fight is evenly matched, factors like octagon control come into play. In this case, Du Plessis’s forward movement, aggressive swings, and head kicks influenced the judges’ decision.
Strickland now faces the challenge of evolving his fighting style and adding more tools to his repertoire. While his jab is formidable, he needs to diversify his attacks and become a more well-rounded fighter to secure future victories.
