Sean Strickland will have an unexpected but valuable addition to his corner when he steps into the octagon for his middleweight title rematch against Dricus du Plessis at UFC 312. Reigning UFC light heavyweight champion Alex Pereira is set to be in Strickland’s corner, offering guidance as the former champion looks to reclaim his belt.
Strickland’s usual coaching team, led by Eric Nicksick, will be joined by Pereira, who confirmed his involvement on Tuesday. The two fighters have developed a strong friendship and training partnership since their 2022 bout, with Pereira securing a first-round knockout victory in that contest. While they now compete in separate weight classes, their camaraderie has grown, leading to Pereira’s presence in Strickland’s corner for this pivotal fight.
Strickland is determined to avenge his January 2024 title loss to du Plessis, which came via a razor-thin decision. Since then, he has rebounded impressively with a victory over Paulo Costa, earning another shot at the middleweight strap. Meanwhile, du Plessis solidified his status as champion with a dominant submission victory over former titleholder Israel Adesanya last August.
Interestingly, Pereira previously expressed interest in returning to middleweight to challenge du Plessis, sparking speculation of a future showdown. While that fight never materialized, du Plessis will now have Pereira watching him closely from Strickland’s corner when they meet in the octagon on February 8.
With Strickland fueled by redemption and Pereira adding his championship-level insight, UFC 312 promises an electrifying middleweight title fight with high stakes and deep personal rivalries.
