Sean Strickland, the newly crowned UFC champion, has long defined himself through fighting. The chaos, pressure, and relentless training camps were his norm. But after six months of intense preparation for bouts against Anthony Hernandez and Khamzat Chimaev, Strickland admitted that someone else may have endured just as much as he did—his wife.
Following his surprising victory over ‘Borz’ at UFC 328, Strickland confessed how draining the past half-year had been for both of them.
“She’s been kind of a prisoner for the last six months,” he told UFC on Paramount. “So she deserves a break, I deserve a break, so I’ll take a little breather. Maybe we’ll bring her down to the White House card.”
In another backstage interview, Strickland described how training camp consumed their lives. He revealed that Kimberly, whom he married last year after a long-term relationship, became his unwavering support system while he disappeared into preparation mode.
“My girl deserves a vacation,” he said. “Like, six months at camp. We don’t go out and have fun; we don’t go to dinner; we don’t travel. She’s been my rock—when I come back, she’s making my dinner, doing my laundry, and handling everything for me. So I’m gonna give her a little breather, take her on a vacation anywhere she wants, and then get back to it.”
For perhaps the first time publicly, Strickland admitted how much his wife’s support impacted him mentally. He confessed that for years, he believed fighting was all he had. But with her, something shifted.
“I give credit for my best success to her because she made me realize that I’m not just a UFC title holder for my entire life,” he said. “I always felt like all I was was that blue check mark in my logo. Now, when you have something to come back to, things that don’t matter lose importance, and things that do matter become even more meaningful.”
This reflective side is a surprising contrast to the fighter known for aggression and controversy, especially after surviving one of his toughest career battles against Khamzat Chimaev in Newark. Her presence in the arena to support him added emotional weight to the fight. ‘Borz’ entered as a heavy favorite and immediately imposed his wrestling, securing a takedown seconds into the first round.
Despite a broken nose and constant pressure, Strickland survived and dragged the fight into deeper waters. After five rounds, two judges scored it 48-47 in his favor, marking an impressive victory.
Now, instead of immediately calling for his next bout, Strickland made clear what comes next: a well-earned vacation with the woman he believes deserves equal credit for the title he holds.