Former UFC middleweight champion Sean Strickland is known for his prowess inside the octagon, but behind the scenes, he grapples with a different kind of fight – one against his own mind. In a recent revelation, Strickland bravely opened up about his ongoing struggle with mental health issues and the dark thoughts that haunt him, shedding light on the unseen battles faced by some fighters beyond the cage.
Despite achieving success in his career and attaining everything he once desired, Strickland acknowledges that he still grapples with unresolved childhood trauma and deep-seated anger. In a candid moment during a previous pre-fight news conference, Strickland expressed skepticism about the effectiveness of therapy, fearing that it might exacerbate his violent tendencies rather than provide relief.
“The problem with therapy, I think they would just convince me to like f*cking start killing everybody,” Strickland candidly admitted, revealing the inner turmoil he faces.
Strickland’s struggles with mental health often spill over into his public persona, manifesting in controversial statements and erratic behavior. Prior to UFC 297, he sparked outrage with an anti-LGBTQ rant, showcasing the volatile nature of his mental state and claiming that being gay was a ‘form of retardation’. Despite facing backlash, Strickland finds solace in the cathartic release offered by fighting, using it as a means to channel his pent-up emotions and aggression.
In a poignant Instagram post, Strickland shared a glimpse into the darkness that plagues his mind, confessing to feeling like a danger to others and wrestling with thoughts of self-destruction. Despite his accomplishments and material success, he grapples with the constant turmoil of his mental health, a battle that wages on with each passing day.
“I have everything I want, and I still struggle with mental health,” “My memory is so short that, like, when I go out into this week, I think to myself, like once I get past it, I think to myself, like, ‘Oh, man. That was a really rough time in my life.’ But then when I really think about it, this happens multiple times a month, every month.”
“All week I’ve been f*cked up, dude,” Strickland states bluntly. “I’ve been on the Twitter saying crazy sh*t, just f*cking spiraling. I woke up and I told my girl, I was like, ‘Babe, I feel like I’m a danger to people. Like I don’t feel like I should be out in the world.’ And I think that – I have everything. I’m rich, I’m famous, I have everything I ever f*cking wanted and I am still mentally unwell.” Strickland admitted, highlighting the paradox of his situation. “I get in these mindsets to where like I want to burn everything down in the world. Like, I want to have nothing, so I can just f*cking lose it and just take out everything on people.
“I think that you guys, in a weird way, are like my family. Like I’ve shared some sh*t with you guys, and you guys have shared some sh*t with me. I feel more connected with my fans than I think most people feel just because we’ve gone through a lot together. I have everything I want, and I still struggle with mental health. My memory is so short that, like, when I go out into this week, I think to myself, like once I get past it, I think to myself, like, ‘Oh, man. That was a really rough time in my life.’ But then when I really think about it, this happens multiple times a month, every month.”
“Again, I don’t know why I’m telling you guys this. I’ve just been kind of going through some sh*t. I’m fine. I’ll be fine. I’m going to go train right now and try to hurt all of my friends, and all of the demons will go away. I just want you guys to know that I have everything I could ever want in the world, and I still struggle. So, whatever you guys are going through man, hope y’all feel better. Go to the gym, train. F*cking wish you all the best.”
Despite the darkness that clouds his mind, Strickland finds solace in the connection he shares with his fans, viewing them as an extended family who have stood by him through thick and thin. As he continues to navigate the tumultuous waters of his mental health, Strickland implores others facing similar struggles to seek solace in the gym and find strength in the camaraderie of fellow fighters.
In a sport where physical prowess reigns supreme, Sean Strickland’s courageous decision to confront his inner demons serves as a powerful reminder of the resilience and vulnerability that lies within every fighter. As he continues to fight for victory inside and outside the octagon, Strickland’s journey serves as a beacon of hope for those grappling with their own mental health battles.
