Sean Strickland Says He Advised Chris Curtis to Turn Down Brendan Allen Fight

While Sean Strickland had initially advised Chris Curtis against accepting a short-notice clash against Brendan Allen, he was certainly impressed with his teammate’s performance.

Curtis replaced Marvin Vettori against Allen at UFC Fight Night 240 on three weeks’ notice. Curtis put on a gritty display, losing a split decision that some observers felt could have gone in his favor. Strickland also had “The Action Man” winning even though he had initially suggested turning down the booking.

UFC "Curt we need you on a week notice"

ME "Curt you haven't really been training because you wanted to take time off for you new baby, just say no"

Curt goes and out strikes a guy coming off the couch with a week of training lmao! pic.twitter.com/hJKvDfMeRm

— Sean Strickland (@SStricklandMMA) April 7, 2024

During the filming of a promo video, Strickland claims to have gone easy on Curtis, who according to him was out of shape and underprepared for the fight.

“UFC filmed Curt, I did one round of sparring with him and let him win,”Strickland wrote. “The camera crew was confused because they know me. I said ‘If I spar him remotely hard he will lose all confidence going into this fight he's so out of shape.’ No excuses, but take zero pride in this victory.

“He was so out of shape and under prepared for this fight.. and still won.. You don't say no to the UFC lol every UFC fighter knows that.. They say jump you say how high lmao Shoulda finished high school lmao!”

UFC filmed Curt, I did one round of sparring with him and let him win

The camera crew was confused because they know me

I said "if I spar him remotely hard he will lose all confidence going into this fight he's so out of shape.

No excuses but take zero pride in this victory.

— Sean Strickland (@SStricklandMMA) April 7, 2024

He was so out of shape and under prepared for this fight.. and still won..

You don't say no to the UFC lol every UFC fighter knows that.. They say jump you say how high lmao

Shoulda finished high school lmao! https://t.co/FO3EJhTdi3

— Sean Strickland (@SStricklandMMA) April 7, 2024

Curtis and Allen are now 1-1, with “The Action Man” having knocked out “All In” in another short-notice booking in 2021. Strickland called for a rubber match between the two middleweights.

“Alright I'm done bitching lol we're all grown ass men and we all make our own decisions.. Just run it back on a full camp, curt deserves that. Goodnight yall!”

Alright I'm done bitching lol we're all grown ass men and we all make our own decisions..

Just run it back on a full camp, curt deserves that.

Goodnight yall!

— Sean Strickland (@SStricklandMMA) April 7, 2024