UFC middleweight champion Sean Strickland says he suffered head and shoulder injuries after an ATV carrying him rolled around six times at approximately 60 mph in Las Vegas.
Sean Strickland has revealed that he was involved in a frightening high speed ATV crash in Las Vegas, with the UFC middleweight champion suffering visible injuries after the vehicle reportedly rolled around six times.
Strickland shared footage of himself shortly after the accident, showing scrapes on his head and shoulder. He also acknowledged that he was not wearing a helmet when the crash happened. The incident took place Monday night while Strickland was riding with friends. According to his account, he was a passenger and his friend Chris was driving when the ATV rolled at approximately 60 mph.
Sean Strickland Details 60 MPH Crash
Strickland gave his followers a direct account of what happened in a video posted to social media. He explained that he had allowed his friend to drive when the vehicle lost control and rolled multiple times. Strickland said his head hit the ground during the crash and showed the resulting injuries.
He also admitted that he was not wearing a helmet.
Strickland later described himself as being “a little concussed,” although there has been no independent medical diagnosis publicly released following the accident. MMA Fighting reported that the incident initially circulated as a motorcycle accident before footage clarified that Strickland and his friend were riding in an ATV.
Strickland Says His Friend Was Taken to Hospital
The accident also left Strickland’s friend Chris Cornell needing medical attention.
In a follow up update, Strickland said Cornell briefly lost consciousness and was taken to a hospital. Strickland expressed concern for his friend while saying that he believed Cornell would be alright.
Reports indicate that Cornell was later seen in a hospital bed, although the full extent of his injuries has not been publicly established. Strickland himself did not report any life threatening injuries. He showed visible scrapes around his head and shoulder and said that his shoulder was sore after the crash.
The UFC champion also appeared to remain in character despite the seriousness of the incident, describing the experience in typically blunt terms and even saying it was one of the most fun things he had done in a long time.
What Does the Crash Mean for Sean Strickland’s UFC Return?
The timing of the accident is significant for Strickland because he is already dealing with a shoulder issue that has affected his plans for his next fight.
Strickland reclaimed the UFC middleweight championship by defeating Khamzat Chimaev at UFC 328 in May. The five round fight resulted in a split decision victory for Strickland and put him back on top of the 185 pound division.
He had previously indicated that he needed additional time to recover from the shoulder problems sustained during the fight.His next title defense has not been officially announced. A potential rematch with Chimaev and a possible matchup with Nassourdine Imavov have been discussed, but neither fight has been confirmed by the UFC.
There is also no indication from Strickland’s latest posts that the UFC has changed his schedule because of the crash. For now, it is therefore unclear whether the accident will have any impact on his return to competition.
Strickland Has Previous History With Vehicle Accidents
This is not the first serious vehicle accident Strickland has experienced. In December 2018, Strickland was involved in a motorcycle crash in Los Angeles that resulted in major injuries and required surgery. The accident kept him away from UFC competition for almost two years.
The latest incident is separate from that accident, but it once again puts the UFC champion in the spotlight outside the Octagon. Unlike the 2018 crash, Strickland has indicated that his current injuries are not believed to be life threatening. However, his comments about experiencing concussion symptoms mean the full medical picture remains unclear.
Sean Strickland’s Condition Remains Under Observation
The latest information comes primarily from Strickland himself. He has shown abrasions on his head and shoulder and said he believes he is okay, while also describing himself as slightly concussed.
No detailed medical report has been released publicly, and the UFC has not announced a change to Strickland’s competitive schedule based on the accident. The immediate priority appears to be Strickland’s recovery and the condition of his friend, who was taken to hospital after briefly losing consciousness.
For the UFC middleweight division, the bigger question is whether the crash creates another delay for the champion. Strickland was already recovering from a shoulder injury, and his next title defense remains unconfirmed. For now, the 35 year old champion has survived another serious vehicle accident and appears to have avoided life threatening injuries. His next UFC appearance, however, remains uncertain.
Follow FIGHTCORE for more updates.
