SEAN STRICKLAND sparred a FAN on stage just days before his UFC title fight against Israel Adesanya.
The controversial and outspoken American – who once claimed he wanted to KILL an opponent in the cage – headlines UFC 293 in Sydney.
Twitter @mmafightingSean Strickland sparring with a fan[/caption]
Twitter @mmafightingStrickland takes a blow from the fan, just days before his title challenge[/caption]
Twitter @mmafightingThe two traded some light blows[/caption]
He challenges Adesanya for the New Zealander’s middleweight title over 9,000 miles away from home.
And Strickland has made his presence known on away soil as he continues to pick fights with locals.
He tweeted: “The UFC says I must do some open work outs tonight at 5.40. If you bring gloves I’ll spar you! Just don’t f***ing cut me!”
Strickland was true to his word and invited a fan in attendance to spar him and the two traded some light blows.
He said afterwards: “I would like to spar someone bigger. But the UFC just said f***ing no.
“That’s a damn shame because you guys are f***ing awesome, this man is awesome, you guys are awesome.
“But before I get out of here, give this little f***er a big round of applause.”
Strickland’s impromptu spar came after he claimed to have punched an Adesanya fan in the street after a jibe.
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He told Fox Sports: “Initially, I thought the guy was coming up for a photo. [Then he said] ‘Izzy is gunna f*** you up.’
“Boom, [then I hit him] right in the guts. I’d only been in Australia a day and already I’d committed an assault.”
EPAStrickland ahead of his title fight[/caption]