Sean Strickland says he walked away from a violent off-road vehicle crash in Las Vegas without a helmet on, describing the wreck as happening at roughly 60 mph with the vehicle rolling around six times. The UFC middleweight champion said he was okay but sore, while his friend Chris Cornell, who was behind the wheel, briefly lost consciousness and was taken to the hospital.
Strickland said the accident happened Monday night, and that he was a passenger while Cornell was driving, according to BBC Sport. He described the crash as happening at 60 mph with the vehicle rolling “around six times,” and said he was not wearing a helmet at the time. Grazes visible on his head and back, he explained, came from the impact of the rollover itself.
Scrapes, a Mild Concussion, and a Hospital Trip for His Friend
Strickland attributed the scrape on his shoulder to rolling and smacking into concrete and dirt during the crash, telling MMA Fighting, “That was just from rolling and smacking the concrete and the dirt.” He said the mark on his head came from his skull hitting the ground while the vehicle was moving at 60 mph.
Cornell fared worse. Strickland said his friend went unconscious for a little bit and ended up in the hospital as a result. The report notes Strickland described himself as a little concussed but said he still felt good enough to want to spar the next day. He did not confirm whether he sought medical treatment himself.
Not His First Brush With a Serious Crash
This isn't the first time a crash has derailed Strickland's momentum. The same report recalls a motorcycle accident in December 2018 that sidelined him for nearly two years, a reminder that the 35-year-old champion has been here before and come back to the top of his division.
Strickland became a two-time UFC middleweight champion by beating Khamzat Chimaev by split decision in May, reclaiming the title he first won in September 2023 with a unanimous-decision win over Israel Adesanya, according to the Kansas City Star. He has not yet been booked for his first defense of this reign, though MMA Junkie reports many expect him to face top contender Nassourdine Imavov later this year.
