Eric Nicksick Addresses Criticism of Sean Strickland Following UFC 312 Defeat

Eric Nicksick, head coach of Sean Strickland, has opened up about his recent comments regarding Strickland’s performance at UFC 312. Following Strickland’s unanimous decision loss to Dricus du Plessis, Nicksick made remarks that led to tension between the coach and fighter.

In a recent podcast appearance, Nicksick admitted to making a “calculated mistake” in his post-fight comments. He explained that his criticism came from a place of wanting to inspire better performance from Strickland, similar to how Strickland has motivated others in the past.

“I made an error in judgment by agreeing to speak publicly so soon after returning from a long trip,” Nicksick stated. “I was exhausted and should have declined the interview. My intention was to address our loss honestly, but I poorly expressed my thoughts.”

Nicksick stands by the substance of his comments, noting that Strickland’s performance was indeed “uninspiring” compared to his usual fighting style. However, he regrets the timing and specific wording of his critique.

“My goal was to challenge Sean to perform better in his next fight,” Nicksick explained. “I was trying to use a tactic similar to what Sean has done with others, hoping to provoke a determined response from him.”

The coach emphasized that he doesn’t mind if Strickland chooses not to have him in his corner for future fights. Nicksick’s primary concern is Strickland’s success and growth as a fighter.

“While I acknowledge my mistake, I don’t regret attempting to motivate Sean,” Nicksick concluded. “My intentions were good, even if my execution was flawed.”

This situation highlights the complex dynamics between coaches and fighters, especially in the aftermath of a high-profile loss. As both Nicksick and Strickland move forward, the MMA community will be watching to see how this relationship evolves.