Ex-UFC star boldly claims Sean Strickland ‘could be’ world’s best middleweight over Dricus du Plessis, Khamzat Chimaev

Din Thomas says Sean Strickland has what it takes to be the best in the world

During a recent appearance on former two-division UFC champion Daniel Cormier’s YouTube channel, ex-fighter Din Thomas made a bold claim about the middleweight division.

Thomas left ‘DC’ shocked as he claimed that Strickland, who held the title for just five months before losing a split decision to Du Plessis, has the tools to be the world’s best at 185 pounds.

“The stories you hear about Sean Strickland from every high-level guy that I know that has ever worked with him said that he’s the best guy in the room,” Thomas said.

“I believe that he could possibly be the best 185-pound fighter in the world right now if he put his energy into actually fighting in the big fights.

“If he put the same amount of energy that he does on fighting YouTubers and having beef with other people, if he put that energy into fighting the top contenders in the big fights, he would be winning,” Thomas added.

Strickland was beaten more decisively in his rematch against Du Plessis this past February.

Sean Strickland could be set for a high-profile rematch next

While the champion and his next challenger gear up for their August showdown in Chicago, Strickland is not currently booked for his return to action.

But that doesn’t mean the former champ is without options. In fact, he has a very high-profile one.

During a video on his YouTube channel featuring David Goggins earlier this year, Adesanya called Strickland out for a rematch of their UFC 293 headliner, which featured ‘Tarzan’ memorably upsetting the Nigerian-New Zealander to win the title.

“I told Hunter (Campbell) already,” Adesanya said. “I told my coach here, it’s time. I know who, I have a feeling who I wanna fight.

“You’ll like this one. I can get some get-back: Sean Strickland. … He beat me fair and square in Sydney, five nil. Just whooped my ass badly.

“I’m doing things different,” Adesanya added. “I don’t wanna make excuses because he beat me. But then I just wanna show him if he beat me at my best. So, this time I’m gonna come in and correct.”

It remains to be seen whether the UFC will support that booking, especially after the most recent update saw Adesanya claim Strickland has remained silent after the callout.