In the world of mixed martial arts, where opinions are as readily exchanged as punches, a discrepancy has emerged regarding the history between former UFC middleweight champion Sean Strickland and legendary fighter Dan Henderson.
The point of contention centers on Strickland`s past training tenure at Henderson`s renowned Team Quest gym in California. Years after the fact, the two prominent figures present remarkably different narratives concerning why Strickland ultimately left the facility.
Henderson recently revisited the topic, suggesting that Strickland`s departure wasn`t entirely voluntary. According to Henderson, Strickland`s penchant for outspokenness and provocative behavior, particularly directed at training partners both in the gym and online, became problematic. Henderson stated that despite Strickland being a good partner *during* training sessions, his conduct outside of sparring was deemed too disrespectful. Warnings were reportedly issued, culminating in a decision to part ways.
Strickland, never one to shy away from a counterpoint, offered a swift and direct rebuttal to this account. Via social media, he disputed Henderson`s version of events entirely.
Strickland`s explanation paints a different picture. He claims that far from being asked to leave, he was actually a primary training partner for Henderson`s final professional bout. Following Henderson`s retirement, Strickland contends, the competitive fight team structure at Team Quest began to diminish. He asserts he simply chose not to renew his membership when it expired as the team dynamic had changed.
Interestingly, while refuting the `kicked out` narrative, Strickland readily admits to a degree of the disruptive behavior Henderson described. He conceded he would “make fun of the fight team constantly,” citing specific instances where teammates opted for activities like yoga instead of sparring. Strickland even recollected having “massive gym blowups” on sparring days when a significant portion of the team was not participating in fight practice.
This admission provides a curious overlap between the two stories: both agree Strickland could be a difficult or opinionated presence regarding training intensity, even if the *reason* for the split remains a point of disagreement. It highlights Strickland`s consistent, unapologetic approach to training and gym culture – an approach that, ironically, did not prevent him from later reaching the pinnacle of the sport by capturing a UFC title.
Adding another layer of intrigue, despite this historical dispute over his Team Quest exit, Strickland noted that he and some former teammates, like Keith Berry, now train and spar regularly at a different facility (Xtreme Couture). This suggests that while disagreements existed regarding the past circumstances, relationships and mutual respect can endure.
Ultimately, whether Strickland was shown the door for his conduct or simply moved on as the gym evolved post-Henderson, the differing accounts serve as a fascinating glimpse into the personalities and philosophies within the competitive MMA landscape. Both men maintain respect for each other, even if their memories of this particular chapter diverge significantly.
