Former UFC middleweight champion Sean Strickland has discovered an unexpected punishiment to his recent suspension from the Nevada State Athletic Commission – mandatory coaching duties in women’s mixed martial arts that could reshape his perspective on the sport.
The 34-year-old MMA star received a six-month suspension and $5,000 fine following his involvement in a physical altercation at a Tuff-N-Uff event in Las Vegas on June 29. The incident occurred after Strickland watched his student, Miles Hunsinger, lose by submission to Luis Hernandez. When Hernandez taunted Hunsinger’s corner following the victory, Strickland responded by entering the cage and throwing punches at the victorious competitor.
What makes this suspension unique however is the creative approach to anger management that has emerged from the disciplinary process. As part of arrangements to potentially reduce his suspension, Strickland has been required to dedicate time to coaching female athletes in mixed martial arts – a development that has caught the attention of the MMA community.
Veronica Hardy, an UFC star working on Spanish language UFC broadcasts, confirmed that coaching women’s MMA has become a component of Strickland’s suspension reduction agreement.
“Part of @stricklandmma suspension reduction deal is to coach Women’s MMA. He’s clocking in the hours,”
Hardy noted, indicating that the former champion is actively fulfilling these obligations.
The coaching requirement appears to be part of a broader effort to channel Strickland’s energy in a more constructive direction during his time away from competition. Hardy has even suggested expanding these duties further, proposing to the commission that Strickland should also be required to corner female MMA stars during their matches.
Hardy’s announcment wasn’t welcommed with open arms and she had to turn off comments on her instagram post.
The Nevada State Athletic Commission structured the suspension to run retroactively from the June incident meaning it will expire on December 29. However, Strickland has the opportunity to reduce this period to 4.5 months by completing an anger management course alongside his coaching responsibilities.
Fellow UFC MMA star Chris Curtis, who also participated in the altercation, received a $2,500 fine for his role in the incident though his penalties were less severe than those imposed on Strickland.
Strickland, who holds a professional record of 29-7, has remained inactive since his unsuccessful title challenge against Dricus Du Plessis in February. He had no scheduled bouts at the time of the June incident, making the timing of his suspension less disruptive to his competitive career.
