If you want a glimpse into the hilariously strange relationship between UFC’s blunt champ Sean Strickland and MMA influencer Nina Marie Daniele, look no further. “Remember when we were talking about fighting being like having sex with a woman?” Nina asked Strickland after his KO loss at UFC 276. “So does that mean Alex f**ked you?” Strickland, clearly caught off guard, muttered, “Oh, this f**king bitch.” And just like that, you get the perfect snapshot of their dynamic—offbeat, unpredictable, and completely free of any romance rumors.

Despite fans pushing a relationship narrative, Strickland’s having none of it. “She’s like a little sister,” he wrote in a social media post, now making the rounds on Reddit. Sure, Nina’s quirky and likes to throw a wrench in the usual UFC banter, but Strickland’s clear – she’s family. “You get to know Nina, bro, and it’s like uncomfortable. I’ll be making jokes, and she’ll try to match my energy, saying something off-color, and I’m like, ‘Nina, that’s gross, like shut the f*ck up.’”

Tarzan admits Nina’s “dope,” but she’s not the Insta-glam or Playboy persona people think they know. She’s more than that, more than just the eye candy (or industry plant) people accuse her of being.

So why does the obsession with their dynamic keep coming up? It’s simple, The American doesn’t fit the UFC champ stereotype. The MMA world loves a hyper-masculine with a soft side narrative, and fans want to put Strickland in it. But he, as usual, is not playing by anyone’s script.

And Nina? She knows the game well. While Strickland’s shutting down the rumors, she keeps things spicy, using quirky comments to keep the spotlight on them. The MMA world might be obsessed with masculinity, but Nina’s onto something, and a little mischief goes a long way.

So what’s the deal with Sean Strickland’s “little sister”?

Well, Nina Marie Daniele, or “Nina Drama” is not your average UFC media personality, that’s for sure. While some influencers are busy crafting their perfect ‘Instagram persona,’ she is out there shaking up the MMA world in a way only she can. You know her from the pages of top fashion mags like Vogue, Elle, and Marie Claire, but what you might not realize is she’s also been the face of campaigns for Maybelline, Victoria’s Secret Pink, and Michael Kors. Oh, and her X bio says it all. “Making MMA Media FUN again”, because that’s exactly what she’s doing, adding style, wit, and a dash of sarcasm to the UFC scene. Honestly, if you’re not paying attention to Nina yet, you might want to start.

But let’s rewind a little bit. Before Nina took over the fashion and UFC world, she was on a completely different path. Armed with a creative writing degree and military aspirations, she was all set to join the ranks of, well, literally anyone who wasn’t posing for Playboy or auditioning for Sports Illustrated’s swimsuit edition (which, by the way, she did in 2017). Fast forward, and she was named Playmate of the Year in 2018. And not just sticking to the basics, she dove headfirst into UFC content, sprinkling her quirky humor into every interaction, quickly becoming the breath of fresh air the MMA scene didn’t even know it needed.

Here’s the thing, this LA native’s playful flirtation with the tough-guy culture? Yeah, it’s all part of the show. While some fans are glued to their screens hoping for some kind of drama between Nina and other fighters, she’s out here playing chess while they’re all still stuck on checkers. It’s no secret, she knows exactly how to get the clicks. And let’s be real, if the rumors start swirling, she’s going to let them spin a little longer. Why? Because it’s fun. And let’s face it, MMA fans take themselves a little too seriously sometimes.

So, what’s the bottom line here? Nina isn’t out here playing by the rules. And honestly, she’s making MMA media a whole lot more entertaining in the process. But hey, as much fun as it is to watch Nina do her thing, maybe it’s time to stop obsessing over the gossip and refocus on the real action. After all, Sean Strickland vs. Dricus Du Plessis II is going down this weekend! With all the drama around Sean’s pacts and robbery talk, you know this is going to be a wild one. So, what’s your take? Are you here for the hype, or are you over the rumors? Let us know in the comments below!