Just days before UFC 312, Sean Strickland makes news again—this time for sparring with an Australian fan. Last year, Strickland made headlines by saying he attacked a fan in Australia prior to his fight with Israel Adesanya. He then admitted that he exaggerated the narrative and that he did not actually hit the fan but rather slapped him lightly.

But now, back in Sydney for his fight with Dricus Du Plessis, Strickland went a step further and actually beat down the same fan in a public media event. The video of it is going viral on the internet as the two can be seen in an actual sparring session. It is worth noting that Strickland took to his Instagram story and asked for a rematch against the fan. While it may appear to be innocent fun, it could lead to another major problem on the plate for head honcho, Dana White.

The UFC is already under criticism for Bryce Mitchell’s recent remarks in support of Hitler. So, legal trouble over a fighter throwing hands with a fan is the last thing the UFC needs at the moment. For the time being, it’s just another wild ‘Tarzan’ moment—but if the fan finds himself really hurt, the UFC CEO will find himself and his company in troubled waters again.

For now, with UFC 312 just around the corner, the attention of the fighters should be on the fights, not another scandal. However, there is no explaining Sean Strickland, as the former UFC middleweight champion is too wild a breed to be tamed. Well, Dana White would surely be making a call, asking Strickland to save all the action for the main event. After all, he already has a training partner in Alex Pereira for the massive fight against Dricus Du Plessis. The duo have been practicing hard and have created a bond that will last at least till UFC 313.

Sean Strickland promises to return the favor

Alex Pereira and Sean Strickland formed an odd but successful team. The Brazilian will be in his former rival’s corner in the main event of UFC 312, in a fight that might crown ‘Tarzan’ as middleweight champion once again. And, according to the American fighter, he is eager to repay the favor to ‘Poatan’. In an interview with the website ‘MMA Junkie’, Sean Strickland commended Alex Pereira’s camaraderie, who promised to assist him in his bid to reclaim the UFC middleweight division throne despite having an important fight booked for just a month from now.

The American fighter said, “He said he’s down. He’s a good dude, man. He’s such a good f*****g dude. He has a tough fight coming up against (Magomed) Ankalaev and if he needs me for that, I’ll be out to help with him. So it kind of goes mutual.” Even the fact that Magomed Ankalaev is a former training partner at Strickland’s gym, ‘Xtreme Couture’, does not appear to cast doubt on his loyalty.

When asked about the situation, Sean Strickland clearly said that if ‘Poatan’ needs his assistance, whether at the end of training camp in Danbury, Connecticut, or on the corner of the Octagon at UFC 313, in Las Vegas, he will be on his side. For him, it is his loyalty that matters the most. But what do you think? With each other’s support, will the two manage to be the winners in their respective fights? Let us know your predictions in the comments.