Din Thomas Criticizes Sean Strickland’s Performance at UFC 312

Veteran MMA analyst Din Thomas has openly criticized Sean Strickland’s performance in his rematch against Dricus du Plessis at UFC 312. Thomas expressed frustration with the disconnect between Strickland’s pre-fight rhetoric and his actual performance in the octagon.

Thomas stated, “We must acknowledge that Sean Strickland doesn’t live up to his own hype. He talks about fighting to the death, but we didn’t see that level of commitment in the cage. While he’s undoubtedly a skilled fighter, there’s a significant gap between his words and actions.”

The analyst pointed out that Strickland’s fighting style in the rematch was even less aggressive than in their first encounter. Strickland primarily relied on his jab and attempted to outwork du Plessis on the feet, but failed to take any significant risks that could have turned the tide of the fight.

Thomas empathized with Strickland’s coach, Eric Nicksick, who repeatedly urged his fighter to increase his activity and even called for a finish in the final round. However, Strickland’s approach remained unchanged throughout the bout.

In contrast, Thomas praised du Plessis for his efforts to make the fight exciting, noting that the champion continued to push the pace and attempt dynamic techniques even when ahead on the scorecards.

Looking ahead, Thomas expressed hope that Strickland would adapt his style to showcase his full potential. “I don’t want to see Strickland lose fights by relying solely on his jab. I want to witness the complete arsenal that he’s capable of deploying in the octagon,” Thomas concluded.