The start of 2026 has remained quite eventful for two-time middleweight champion Sean Strickland. He has endured not one but two grueling training camps, preparing for fighters who were difficult matchups for him stylistically.
But after his win at UFC 328, 'Tarzan' credited his 'rock' for helping him through all this grind.
Strickland entered 2026 already in a training camp, preparing for his fight against Anthony Hernandez in February. After dispatching his opponent in the third round of a 5-round bout, he immediately entered another training camp. This time, it was for a crack at the then-middleweight champion Khamzat Chimaev.
Despite the quick turnaround, Strickland beat his heated rival and won the middleweight championship at UFC 328. Sean Strickland alleges this success is owed to his wife, Kimberly. The middleweight champion revealed in a post-fight interview that his wife's constant support and presence enabled him to look at the bigger picture and not be consumed by the UFC title and fighting itself.
She's been by my side for years. I give her a lot of credit for my success because she made me realize that I'm not just a UFC title or a fighter — that's not my entire life. I always tell people, all I was before was that blue check mark and my logo. But when you have something real to come back to, the things that don't matter suddenly matter a lot less, and the things that do matter become way more important. So I owe a lot to her. We'll take a little vacation, reset, and then get back to work.
Sean Strickland via UFC on ParamountAfter the fight at UFC 328, Sean Strickland got reflective about the entire ordeal he and his wife had endured in the past 6 months. In a post-fight interview, Strickland revealed how difficult things had been for them.
Strickland's entering camp meant that his wife had to be a constant support system for the UFC middleweight champion. He lauded her for holding things together for him, joking that he would now give her a 'breather.'
My girl deserves a vacation. Like, six months at camp. Like, we don't go out and have fun; we don't go to dinner; we don't travel. She's kind of been my rock, where, like, when I come back, she's making my dinner, she does my laundry, and she does everything for me. So I'm gonna give her a little breather, take her on a vacation.
Sean Strickland via UFCHis wife's efforts have paid off handsomely so far. Not only did 'Tarzan' end Anthony Hernandez's winning streak, but he also snatched Khamzat Chimaev's undefeated record to regain the middleweight belt in a massive upset that shocked many.
Even so, the middleweight champion has spent the majority of his time as a married man in training camp. So, Sean Strickland's married life has evidently gotten off to a rollercoaster start. However, considering how he and his wife got married, this is barely a surprise.
Ahead of his shockingly dominant victory over Israel Adesanya, Sean Strickland did an interview withHelen Yee. In the midst of his usual controversial rants, 'Tarzan' thanked his then-girlfriend for making him a 'better man.' But since then, the couple has made things official, tying the knot back in October 2025.
Their wedding was an intimate event filled with their close ones, rife with motorcycles and firearms, true to form for the middleweight champion. He posted about it on Instagram, with the caption, 'Well time to grow up I guess.'
Many fans and celebrities congratulated Sean Strickland on his marriage. Frequent collaborator Nina Drama even joked that the world needed a baby Strickland. Additionally, many fellow fighters also joined with Dricus Du Plessis, forgoing his rivalry with Strickland to congratulate him and his wife.
The controversial fighter has spent the majority of his time as a married man in training camp. However, it's time for him and his wife to go on vacation. But 'Tarzan' did reveal that supporting Alex Pereira at the White House was next, and indicated who his next opponent will be.
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