UFC legend Demetrious Johnson thinks it's time for Sean Strickland to change his ways after a second championship defeat in the span of three fights.
Strickland returned to action in the main event of Saturday's UFC 312 pay-per-view, challenging for Dricus Du Plessis' middleweight title in Sydney, Australia. Having had the gold taken away by narrow margins opposite Du Plessis 13 months ago, the polarizing American was looking for revenge Down Under.
But he failed in that pursuit, instead falling to a lopsided decision defeat to the South African — and suffering a gruesome broken nose in the process.
The challenger utilized his usual limited, non-aggressive offense. Coach Eric Nicksick's pleas for more from his student fell on deaf ears, and one prominent ex-champ believes Strickland's current style has taken him as far as it can.
Sean Strickland has a style where he would not deviate from it," Johnson said on his YouTube channel. "In order to get better in this sport of mixed martial arts, you have to take the time, swallow your pride, swallow your ego, and put yourself in the position where you’re going to force yourself to evolve and get better and and learn new tools.
That's the only way you're going to become a better fighter in this game. Because otherwise, people who are younger, who will take the time to evolve and get better, are always going to beat you," Johnson added.
Strickland will now return to the gym and begin his path back to another shot at regaining the belt. Meanwhile, champ Du Plessis is expected to next face a challenge from undefeated contender Khamzat Chimaev.