Magomed Ankalaev Says Sean Strickland Is Kind in the Gym but Unfiltered Online
Former UFC light heavyweight champion Magomed Ankalaev offered a mixed assessment of middleweight champion Sean Strickland, describing him as a kind and hardworking presence in the gym while criticizing his lack of responsibility for comments made online. The remarks came during an interview with Azamat Bostanov on the Bostanov MMA channel, where Ankalaev discussed the contrast between Strickland’s public persona and his behavior in training.
Ankalaev and Strickland have crossed paths during training sessions at Xtreme Couture in Las Vegas. Their shared gym time has given Ankalaev a firsthand view of the American fighter away from cameras and social media. Ankalaev noted that the two men interact differently in that setting than the image Strickland projects through his frequent online activity.
Ankalaev discussed Strickland’s character during the interview with Bostanov.
“Strickland, on his own, is a very kind person, you could say. But he’s got a little problem in the head, but on his own, he’s a good person. But he doesn’t watch his tongue.”
He continued by addressing the gap between Strickland’s online statements and his conduct in person.
“He doesn’t feel responsible for his words, if you look at it. When I see what he says on the internet, you think, ‘What’s wrong with you? What are you saying?’”
Ankalaev attributed part of the difference to cultural approaches to trash talk. He suggested that American fighters often use provocative language for promotion, whereas certain comments would carry heavier consequences in other environments. The observation framed Strickland’s outspoken style as a promotional tool rather than a reflection of his day-to-day demeanor.
Ankalaev then contrasted that public image with Strickland’s approach inside the gym.
“But in the gym, he’s not like that. In the gym, he’s a hard worker, just a smiley guy. He never causes problems, he’s not aggressive.”
The comments arrive while both fighters sit near the top of their respective divisions. Ankalaev, who won the light heavyweight title from Alex Pereira at UFC 313 before losing it in the rematch at UFC 320, rebounded with a fifth-round TKO of Bogdan Guskov in July 2026. He remains a top contender at 205 pounds with no fight currently booked. Strickland captured the middleweight championship with a split-decision win over Khamzat Chimaev at UFC 328 in May 2026 and holds a 31-7 record.
Ankalaev’s remarks add another layer to the long-standing sparring relationship between the two. Strickland has previously described Ankalaev as one of the toughest training partners he has faced, noting the difficulty of landing clean shots or securing takedowns against him. Ankalaev’s latest comments reinforce a consistent picture of mutual respect inside the gym even as their public styles differ sharply.
The light heavyweight and middleweight title pictures remain fluid. Ankalaev continues to position himself for another opportunity at 205-pound gold under current champion Carlos Ulberg, while Strickland navigates the middleweight landscape amid ongoing discussions about his next defense. Their overlapping training history keeps the possibility of future interaction open even if no cross-divisional matchup is currently on the horizon.
