Sean Strickland added another massive upset to his résumé at UFC 328, and Jorge Masvidal believes the middleweight champion has already secured his place among the sport’s all-time greats.
Strickland stunned the MMA world at UFC 238, with a narrow decision win over the previously undefeated Khamzat Chimaev. And that is not the first time he has overcome insurmountable UFC odds. Remember back in 2023, when he was a 5 to 1 underdog versus Israel Adesanya?
The reigning UFC middleweight champion now owns victories over some of the division’s top contenders, including Chimaev, Israel Adesanya, Nassourdine Imavov, Paulo Costa, Anthony Hernandez and Brendan Allen.
Masvidal Praises Strickland’s Rise at Middleweight
For Masvidal, that résumé already checks every Hall of Fame box. He told Full Send MMA:
“Sean Strickland has to go down as a Hall of Famer, and is an all-time great”
Masvidal pointed to Strickland’s move up from welterweight as a turning point in his career.
“Even before he got the belt, he’s had some amazing performances throughout his career. He fought at 170, he was cutting a little too much weight.”
According to Masvidal, Strickland separated himself from the division through both activity and results.
“He came up, he really started showing out, finishing guys, setting himself up for success, separating himself from the pack by his fight style.”
“He has a good finishing rate, and he’s beaten a lot of up-and-coming guys, he beat a lot of established guys, and he beat a lot of guys he probably should have never beat.”