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Sean Strickland's Coach On Why UFC 293 Fight Against Israel Adesanya Will Be Different To Alex Pereira Encounter

Originally posted on MMA News | By Kyle Dimond | Last updated 9/1/23

Coming into his UFC middleweight title fight against Israel Adesanya at UFC 293, one big question hangs over the head of Sean Strickland.

Whilst grappling with the champion has proven to be far easier said than done for his previous title challengers, mixing up his approach would be the clear best path to victory for Strickland.

Standing and striking with one of the best kickboxers we have ever seen inside the Octagon makes it difficult for anyone to imagine hearing 'and new' on September 9.

Unfortunately, that is exactly what Strickland did when he faced Adesanya's rival Alex Pereira.

With many fans expecting Strickland to really test the overall skill set of the lethal power puncher, he was instead engaged in a kickboxing match with "Poatan" which was only ever going to end one way.

During an interview with James Lynch for Fanatics View, Strickland's coach Eric Nicksick spoke about the approach to this fight and the lessons learned from the Pereira loss.

"I think honestly he understands that too James like he gets it. He trusts in our kind of through processes as well, it's been a lot of trial and error. We always joke about the Alex Pereira fight like when he was walking out and hitting the tunnel, he looks back and he's like all right let me know when it's halfway, it's like that wasn't the plan bro, shoot right away so we joke about that stuff but in all seriousness, he does have to get into some wrestling."

Eric Nicksick Speaks About Sean Strickland's Best Chances Of Beating Adesanya

Strickland's ego got the better of him against Alex Pereira and the middleweight contender has already admitted that it could happen again at UFC 293.

For his head coach Eric Nicksick, this could prove to be a disaster given everything they have worked on in training camp.

Having had experience of coaching a fighter to face Adesanya in the past, Nicksick knows the dangers that "Stylebender" presents.

Referencing the champion's fight with Brad Tavares, the Xtreme Couture coach said that even if you're prepared to strike with Adesanya and try to close the gap, it's a different thing when you're in there with a striker of that calibre.

"He does have to get into some clinches, he does have to do some stuff to where it's not just a kickboxing fight because that's where Izzy's gonna do his best and he'll get in there right away and see like we had to deal with that when Brad fought Izzy, the length man. Izzy's a freaking sniper and it's hard, he can get to you and it's hard to get to him there's gonna be a lot of things that I think we're gonna have to improve on and Sean's willing to do it.

Please provide transcription credit with a link to this article if you use any of these quotes.

This article first appeared on MMA News and was syndicated with permission.

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