Cincinnati Bengals rookie offensive lineman Dylan Fairchild showcased his wrestling background in a friendly grappling session with former UFC middleweight champion Sean Strickland.
The impromptu match, shared on Strickland’s social media, quickly gained attention as the 300-plus pound NFL lineman demonstrated surprising agility and technique against former UFC champ.
“A 300+ pound man shouldn’t be able to hit an ankle pick like that,” Strickland commented afterward, clearly impressed by Fairchild’s abilities. “When you’re done with the NFL… UFC??” he added with a laughing emoji.
The session began with Fairchild applying an arm bar before transitioning to a single leg attempt. Though Strickland initially escaped, what happened next caught the MMA veteran completely off guard. The 6-foot-5, 318-pound offensive lineman explosively dove to execute a textbook ankle pick takedown that left onlookers audibly shocked.
As Strickland attempted to roll out of the ankle pick, Fairchild smoothly transitioned to a gator roll, taking the UFC star’s back and earning what would have been points in a competitive wrestling match.
“This man can wrestle,” Strickland acknowledged after they exchanged a sporting high-five and hug.
Fairchild’s wrestling credentials explain his impressive performance. Before being drafted in the third round by the Bengals, the former Georgia Bulldog was a dominant high school wrestler in his home state, compiling a perfect 47-0 record as a junior and 23-0 as a senior to claim heavyweight state championships.
At the University of Georgia, Fairchild established himself as a multi-year starter on one of the SEC’s most formidable offensive lines before making the jump to the NFL.
The friendly competition highlights the crossover athletic abilities many NFL players possess beyond football. For Fairchild, the wrestling skills that helped make him a draft prospect continue to serve him well, even against one of the UFC’s elite stars.
While Fairchild appears focused on his budding NFL career with the Bengals, Strickland’s playful UFC recruitment suggests the lineman could have options should he ever consider a career change.
