Eric Nicksick Criticizes Sean Strickland: “Sleepwalking Through the

Strickland’s Lackluster Performance at UFC 312

Eric Nicksick, head coach of Sean Strickland, did not hold back his criticism following his fighter’s disappointing performance at UFC 312. Strickland, a former middleweight champion, faced off against Dricus du Plessis for the title but failed to put up a serious challenge. The South African champion dominated the five-round fight and secured a unanimous decision victory with scorecards reading 50-45, 50-45, and 49-46.

In an interview with Ariel Helwani, Nicksick expressed his frustration over Strickland’s passive approach in the fight.

“It was uninspired. It was like he was sleepwalking,” said Nicksick.

Coach Left Frustrated by Strickland’s Attitude

Nicksick admitted that he initially thought Strickland was having a slow start, something that happens to many fighters. However, as the rounds progressed, it became clear to him that Strickland was not fully engaged in the fight.

Despite his best efforts to motivate Strickland in between rounds, nothing seemed to work. Nicksick was especially disappointed that this performance came in a title fight, a moment that many fighters work their entire careers to reach.

“Let’s not forget—this was a title fight. I take title fights very seriously,” Nicksick stated.
“I was just disappointed with the whole entire outcome.”

Strickland’s Words Didn’t Match His Actions

Strickland has built a reputation for his trash talk and aggressive attitude leading up to fights. Before UFC 312, he called for an all-out war and even told du Plessis to be ready to “fight to the death.” However, once inside the octagon, his performance did not reflect that mindset.

This has led to widespread criticism from fans and analysts alike, with many questioning Strickland’s commitment and fighting spirit. MMA analyst Din Thomas recently stated that Strickland is “not who he says he is,” while former UFC champion Luke Rockhold also criticized him for being “fake.”

Nicksick agreed that Strickland deserves to be called out for his lackluster performance.

“Yes, of course. We have to be honest—it was a weak performance in a title fight,” said Nicksick.
“There are fighters in this sport who will never get a title shot. That alone should be motivation.”

What’s Next for Strickland?

With du Plessis expected to defend his title against Khamzat Chimaev, Strickland’s future in the division is uncertain. Nicksick emphasized that a serious conversation needs to take place regarding Strickland’s mentality and motivation moving forward.