Sean Strickland, a prominent UFC middleweight fighter, is known for his straightforward approach to fighting and life. This article delves into his diet, workout routine, and the unique mindset that has shaped his career.
Strickland's Training Philosophy
Strickland's training philosophy emphasizes hard work and dedication over the allure of trendy training camps or miracle cures. He believes that a fighter's success depends on their individual effort and mindset, not just the gym they train at.
"I get this all the time about camps and I've trained with the best camps. I've been to Jackson's, I've been all over and the one thing I've learned is your camp doesn't mean a damn thing," Strickland told FOX Sports. "You take (Jon) Jones -- Jones will be Jones no matter where Jones is in the world. Jones could be training at Team Quest, at any gym in the world and he's still going to be Jones. So I think as long as you have a couple core training partners who you can work with and get work done, really gym is just a name."
Strickland believes that fighters sometimes use changing camps or seeking out specific trainers as a scapegoat for their shortcomings. He argues that the only person to blame for a loss is the fighter themselves.
"If you lose, there's only one person you can blame and that's yourself."
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He admits to falling victim to this mentality in the past, particularly when he became overly concerned with maintaining his undefeated record.
"When I fought (Santiago) Ponzinibbio, I got in my own head," Strickland said. "I was like 'this is serious' and I went up to train with (Josh) Koscheck and he runs one of the best camps I've ever been to. But then I remember walking out to the fight and thinking 'I do not want to be here right now'. This sucks. All the pressure being undefeated, it's just not fun for me. I'm so afraid of losing, I don't want to f--king be here."
Strickland emphasizes the importance of consistent effort and a strong mindset. He believes that fighters should focus on working hard in the gym and stop worrying about every single detail.
"That's always been my opinion because I've trained with some of the best guys," Strickland said. "My opinion is it's not the gym that made them. They had the training and maybe they plugged them in the right direction, but the really good guys, they're good because that's who they are as a person. It's not any miracle coaching epic."
Sean Strickland's Workout Routine
Sean Strickland's workout routine is a comprehensive program designed to build strength, endurance, and overall fitness. His routine focuses on working out all parts of the body five times a week, with two days for rest and recovery.
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- Frequency: 5 days a week
- Rest Days: Wednesday and Sunday (includes stretching to prevent injuries)
Here's a breakdown of his workout routine:
Chest Workout
- Bench press: 3 sets of 10 reps
- Dumbbell fly: 3 sets of 8 reps
- Dumbbell Press: 3 sets of 10 reps
- Cable crossover: 3 sets of 8 reps
Leg Workout
Strickland's leg workout includes exercises like deadlifts, weighted squats, machine extensions, and leg presses.
Back Workout
For his back, Strickland incorporates exercises such as dips, pull-ups, dumbbell rows, and dumbbell shrugs.
Arm Workout
Strickland's arm workout includes hammer curls, bicep curls, overhead presses, triceps pushdowns, and push-ups, with 2-3 sets of each exercise.
Cardio
Running and boxing are important components of Sean Strickland's cardio regimen.
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MMA Training
Strickland almost always trains wearing MMA gloves rather than boxing gloves. MMA training involves various aspects, including grappling, sparring, boxing, kickboxing, and martial arts. Strickland practices them all regularly (except BJJ).
Additional Training Insights
- Movement: Strickland emphasizes the importance of movement in training, stating that it's easier for objects in motion to stay in motion.
- No Excuses: Strickland believes that having a cold or minor injury is not an excuse to skip training.
Sean Strickland's Diet
Sean Strickland's diet is a topic of much discussion, largely due to his seemingly unconventional preferences. He has openly admitted his love for less-than-healthy foods, such as burgers and pizza.
Unorthodox Preferences
Strickland's unceremonious take on food was earlier noticed when on being asked by a journalist about his favourite food, he unabashedly replied that the only reason men consumed healthy food was to make them fit and help themselves attract women. He further went on to associate food items such as pizza and sushi to gay sexual orientation, claiming that single men who consumed the aforementioned items were likely gay.
Despite his fondness for these foods, Strickland understands the importance of a disciplined diet, especially when preparing for a fight.
Making Weight
When Strickland needs to make weight for a fight, he switches to a diet that includes high quantities of protein to maintain muscle mass.
General Dietary Advice
Strickland's diet advice is unconventional to say the least. Jokes aside, Strickland takes his diet seriously, which his physique shows. Strickland has fought at welterweight (170 lbs.), and says he could return to it and win that title, except for one thing: he hates cutting weight. So at 185, he gets to eat more of what he loves like burgers, without feeling too deprived.
Supplements
Strickland doesn’t cop to taking any supplements, and he is utterly opposed to steroids.
The Alex Pereira Inspired Workout
Alex Pereira, another prominent MMA fighter, has a training regimen known for building explosive power and relentless endurance. Some of his workout elements are relevant to understanding overall MMA conditioning.
Key Elements of Pereira's Training
- Cardio: Designed to build explosive endurance with steady-state activities and high-intensity intervals.
- MMA Drills: Focus on striking precision, takedown defense, and clinch control.
- MMA Conditioning: Builds fight-specific endurance, reflexes, and explosive movement through plyometrics, core drills, and reaction-based exercises.
- Strength Training: Aims to build explosive power, core stability, and rotational strength with compound lifts and rotational movements.
Pereira's Diet
Pereira's diet supports his training by focusing on high-protein, moderate-carb options with healthy fats. He avoids sugars, processed foods, and alcohol entirely.
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