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

And that is exactly why the American is in line to face ‘DDP’ for the 185-pound belt next. However, Strickland’s friend and current light heavyweight champ Alex Pereira, too has thrown his name in the hat. In a recent interview, ‘Poatan’ was very open about wanting to move back down to 185 and fight for the title he lost last year. However, Strickland is having none of it.

“Alex I know you were working at a tire shop. But listen you’re not a poor Brazilian anymore. You got more money than all of us to sit the f**k down, let me fight the Dutchman [Dricus Du Plessis], then we can send him your way. Thank you Alex, with all due respect you giant f***ing Brazilian,” Strickland told ‘The Schmo’.

Pereira, of course, had shocked the world by beating arch-rival Israel Adesanya in their first fight two years ago, only to lose the title in their UFC 285 rematch, suffering a humiliating toe-curling knockout in it. Right after that clash, ‘Poatan’ was forced to leave middleweight, with his tail between his legs. Not because of the loss, though. He just found the weight cut to 185 extremely taxing and painful.

But now that he has sent out feelers of a return to middleweight, it has pricked Strickland’s ears, who is hoping the Brazilian waits until he has taken care of his unfinished business with Du Plessis. But, in the meanwhile, Pereira and Strickland are back together preparing for ‘Poatan’s next fight.

Sean Strickland in Alex Pereira’s camp for ‘Poatan’s UFC 307 clash

Friendships forged in combat are a rare and beautiful thing. It’s not every day that two men who once tried to knock 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 has developed between Alex Pereira and Sean Strickland. Their infamous UFC 276 clash—where Pereira put ‘Tarzan’ to sleep in the first round—was just the beginning of a relationship that has now turned into an unlikely but inspiring alliance. From foes to training partners, the duo has become a testament to what martial arts can create beyond rivalry.

Now, as Pereira prepares for his UFC 307 bout against the ever-dangerous Khalil Rountree, his old adversary Strickland is right by his side. It’s a partnership that’s built on grit, sweat, and a shared respect for the grind. “We’ve established this partnership with Sean Strickland,” Pereira shared recently. “Always when we have a fight coming up we try to get together. Yesterday he came here not only sparring but also shared his techniques with us. Great guy, great vibe.” The mutual respect between them is palpable—two warriors bound by a connection that transcends language barriers, training together to bring out the best in each other.

But, while it might sound like a tale of pure camaraderie, there’s a looming tension that could test this friendship. Only one man can be the UFC middleweight champion. With Pereira eyeing a return to middleweight after his ventures into other divisions, a very real question comes to the forefront: what if that belt ends up around the waist of his friend, Sean Strickland? Would ‘Poatan’ still be willing to move back down and challenge Strickland for the title?