Former UFC middleweight champion Sean Strickland is beginning to contemplate how much longer he wants to continue competing at the highest level of mixed martial arts.
Speaking to ESPN ahead of his upcoming main event bout against Anthony Hernandez (15-2 MMA, 9-2 UFC) at UFC Fight Night: Strickland vs. Hernandez in Houston on February 21, Strickland (29-7 MMA, 16-7 UFC) addressed questions about retirement and how he evaluates this stage of his career.
When asked whether he feels he is nearing the end of his run or still has years left in the sport, Strickland offered a candid assessment. He pointed to reigning featherweight champion Alexander Volkanovski as a reference point. Volkanovski recently secured another victory at age 38, a benchmark Strickland views as instructive.
“Volk just won. What is Volk, 37? I’m 38,” Strickland said, reflecting on the realities of competing into the late 30s. While acknowledging the physical demands of the sport, he made it clear that his passion for fighting remains intact. “I love fighting,” he added, emphasizing that the sport continues to provide both purpose and structure in his life.
Strickland estimated he could realistically have “three years” left at an elite level, which in MMA terms could equate to multiple high-profile bouts. He also admitted that, financially, retirement is already an option. “I could probably retire right now if I wanted to, and I’m smart with my finances,” he said.
However, the former champion suggested that stepping away presents a different kind of challenge. For Strickland, the question is less about money and more about identity. “What do you do all day? Just wake up and find out what makes you happy?” he asked.
With a critical matchup against Hernandez looming, Strickland’s focus remains on competition, even as long-term considerations begin to surface.
