Sean Strickland and his head coach Eric Nicksick aren't exactly on the same page as the former champion prepares for the biggest fight of his career at UFC 328. This weekend, Strickland will step into the Octagon to face undefeated phenom Khamzat Chimaev for the middleweight title, looking to bounce back from the disappointments of his last two championship bouts.

The tension between Strickland and Nicksick is nothing new. The two have trained together at Xtreme Couture for years, but their relationship has been rocky, especially after Strickland's second loss to Dricus Du Plessis in 2023. Nicksick publicly called that performance "uninspired fighting," which led to a heated exchange and Strickland briefly cutting ties with his coach.

Though they've since reconciled—Nicksick returned to Strickland's corner for UFC Houston earlier this year—the friction hasn't completely dissolved. "Me and Eric have a mixed relationship where it's like, I'll say this tactfully, if you've never fought or been in the gym, you don't have an understanding," Strickland admitted during a UFC 328 media scrum.

Interestingly, Nicksick's background isn't in MMA competition—he transitioned into the sport after playing college football. This difference in perspective has been a recurring point of contention. Strickland also revealed that he entered his UFC 312 title fight against Du Plessis with a broken arm without telling Nicksick beforehand, a lack of communication he believes contributed to their split after that fight.

Now, with Chimaev—a relentless wrestler known as "Borz"—standing across the cage, Nicksick has expressed concerns about the damage his fighter could face. The coach has spoken openly about having "strong" feelings toward Chimaev, adding another layer of complexity to an already intense title fight buildup.

For Strickland, UFC 328 is more than just a championship opportunity—it's a chance to prove he can overcome both external opponents and internal discord. Whether he and Nicksick can find common ground in the heat of battle remains to be seen, but one thing is certain: all eyes will be on the middleweight division this weekend.