Sean Strickland has only one condition to let Alex Pereira fight Dricus Du Plessis in the middleweight showdown

Many people, even Dana White, believe Sean Strickland should still be the UFC middleweight champion. Ultimately, “Tarzan” lost a razor-thin split decision to the reigning champion Dricus Du Plessis in their UFC 297 clash in January. And many, including the UFC CEO, felt the decision should have gone Strickland's way.

And that's exactly why the American will next face “DDP” for the 185-pound belt. However, Strickland's friend and current light heavyweight champion Alex PereiraHe also threw his name into the hat. In a recent interview, “Poatan” was very open about wanting to go back to 185 and fight for the title he lost last year. Strickland, however, is having none of it.

“Alex, I know you worked at a tire shop. But listen, you're not a poor Brazilian anymore. You got more money than all of us to fucking sit down, let me fight the Dutchman [Dricus Du Plessis]then we can send it to you. Thanks, Alex, with all due respect, you fucking giant Brazilian.” Strickland told The Schmo.

Pereira, of course, had shocked the world when he defeated arch-rival Israel Adesanya in his first fight two years ago, only to lose the title in the UFC 285 rematch, suffering a humiliating knockout in the process. Immediately after that clash, “Poatan” had to leave the middleweight division with his tail between his legs. But not because of the defeat. He found the weight reduction to 185 extremely strenuous and painful.

But now that he has sent out feelers for a return to middleweight, the ears are on Strickland, who is hoping the Brazilian waits until he has settled his unfinished business with Du Plessis. But now Pereira and Strickland are back together and preparing for “Poatan’s next fight.”

Sean Strickland in Alex Pereira’s camp for “Poatan’s UFC 307 fight.”

Friendships made through combat are a rare and beautiful thing. It's not every day that two men who once tried to cut each other's heads off end up sharing their skills, their stories, and even their time in the gym. But that's exactly the kind of bond that developed between Alex Pereira and Sean Strickland. Their infamous UFC 276 clash, in which Pereira put “Tarzan” to sleep in the first round, was just the beginning of a relationship that has since blossomed into an unlikely but inspiring alliance. From opponents to training partners, the duo has become proof of what martial arts can do beyond rivalry.

Now, as Pereira prepares for his UFC 307 fight against the ever-dangerous Khalil Rountree, his old foe Strickland is right by his side. It's a partnership built on courage, sweat and a shared respect for the grind. ““We built this partnership with Sean Strickland,” Pereira recently shared. “Whenever a fight is imminent, we try to come together. Yesterday he not only came here to save money, but also shared his techniques with us. Great guy, great vibes.“The mutual respect between them is palpable – two warriors bound by a bond that transcends language barriers, training together to bring out the best in each other.

While it sounds like a story of pure camaraderie, there is a looming tension that could put this friendship to the test. Only one man can become UFC middleweight champion. As Pereira eyes a return to middleweight after his ventures into other divisions, a very real question arises: What if that belt ended up around his friend Sean Strickland's waist? Would “Poatan” still be willing to go back down and challenge Strickland for the title?