UFC middleweight champion Sean Strickland says he is recovering after being involved in an all-terrain vehicle accident in Las Vegas on Monday night.
Strickland, 35, said he was not wearing a helmet when the vehicle, which was being driven by a friend, rolled several times while travelling at around 60mph. The American showed injuries to his head and shoulder in a video posted to Instagram following the incident.
“Guys, I’m in a real bad place,” said Strickland. “I let my buddy drive, he rolled us going, like, 60 (mph). We rolled like six times.”
“That was from my head smacking the ground, going 60, did not have a helmet on. I’m an idiot,” Strickland said while showing a scratch on his head. He also displayed an injury to his shoulder, adding: “That was just from rolling and smacking the concrete and the dirt. Fuck, I’m in a real bad place right now.”
Strickland later posted an update saying he believed he had avoided serious injury, while his friend Chris was taken to hospital after briefly losing consciousness. “I think I’m OK. Chris went unconscious for a little bit, so he’s in the hospital, but I think he’s going to be alright,” Strickland said. “I hope Chris is OK.”
The incident comes eight years after Strickland was involved in a motorcycle accident that contributed to a two-year absence from competition. He returned to action in 2020 and has since twice won the UFC middleweight championship, most recently reclaiming the title with a split-decision victory over Khamzat Chimaev at UFC 328 in May.
