Sean Strickland will have a strong support system in his corner as he prepares to take on Dricus du Plessis in a highly anticipated rematch for the middleweight title at UFC 312.
In addition to his regular coaching team led by Eric Nicksick, Strickland will also receive guidance from UFC light heavyweight champion Alex Pereira.
Pereira, who previously fought Strickland in 2022, will now be in his corner for the upcoming fight against du Plessis. The two fighters have formed a bond through training together and mutual respect, despite no longer competing in the same weight class.
Nicksick confirmed that Pereira will serve as the fourth coach in Strickland’s corner for the fight, a move that was initially revealed on The Schmo’s YouTube channel.
Strickland is determined to reclaim the middleweight title after losing it to du Plessis in a close decision back in January 2024. His victory over Paulo Costa has positioned him for another shot at the championship.
Meanwhile, du Plessis showcased his skills by defeating Israel Adesanya in a title defense last August.
After his win over Adesanya, du Plessis expressed interest in facing Pereira in the future, sparking speculation about a potential matchup between the two champions.
Although a fight between du Plessis and Pereira never materialized, du Plessis will have a chance to compete against Strickland with Pereira in his corner, creating an intriguing dynamic for the upcoming bout on Feb. 8.