Former UFC middleweight champion Sean Strickland recently revealed his girlfriend KJ harbors an unusual fear about his MMA career and potential long-term health effects.
During a conversation shared on March 28, 2025, Strickland disclosed a concern that offers a glimpse into the private anxieties that can accompany a professional combat sports career.
“She is concerned that one day I might wake up with CTE and shoot her,” Strickland explained, referencing chronic traumatic encephalopathy, the degenerative brain condition associated with repeated head trauma that has become a significant talking point in combat sports.
KJ, present during the exchange, didn’t back down from her position. “It’s valid,” she insisted, while Strickland dismissed the notion.
The back-and-forth continued with Strickland challenging her perspective: “So you truly believe that one day I could wake up because of brain trauma and murder you? Are you f**king kidding me?”
Maintaining her composure and sense of humor, KJ responded, “Stranger things have happened,” seemingly taking the conversation in stride despite its macabre undertones.
Strickland, known for his unfiltered personality, then leaned into the dark humor of the moment. “Do you have a specific caliber you would like to be offed with?” he asked.
“Make it quick, be a good shot,” KJ replied, playing along with the unconventional banter.
The exchange, while jarring to some, highlights the real concerns about CTE that exist in the world of professional combat sports. Notable stars like Wanderlei Silva have previously spoken about experiencing memory issues attributed to years of cumulative damage in the sport.
Strickland’s professional journey has seen significant highs and challenges. He captured the UFC middleweight title in September 2023 with a victory over Israel Adesanya at UFC 293, only to lose it to Dricus Du Plessis in January 2024 at UFC 297. His most recent bout resulted in a split decision loss to Paulo Costa in June 2024 at UFC 302.
Now at 34 years of age with a professional record of 28-6, Strickland currently has no scheduled bouts on the horizon. While his career continues to evolve, this glimpse into his personal life reveals the unique ways professional MMA stars and their loved ones process the inherent risks of the sport.
