The Gamebred Training Center in San Diego, Calif. recently played host to a wild and physical sparring session between seventh-ranked UFC middleweight Sean Strickland, and 2019 PFL light heavyweight champion Emiliano Sordi.
Strickland’s (24-3) unique reputation has only grown as the UFC spotlight shines brighter as he’s elevated his status on the back of a five-fight win streak. With that enhanced focus, comes a greater interest in his interviews and Instagram story posts because he isn’t known for the filter on his thoughts. He also does not have a filter on how he expresses himself in training either.
Sean Strickland taunts Emiliano Sordi as the two battle in sparring session
In the latest installment in “Tarzan’s” uncanny rise to notoriety comes a recent Instagram post from Bellator and PFL veteran Herman Terrado, the owner of Gamebred Training Center. The gym played host to a sparring session between the 30-year-old and recent season two PFL champion Emiliano Sordi. No doubt, the skilled striker from Argentina is a fitting sparring partner as Strickland prepares for his upcoming UFC 268 bout against hated rival Luke Rockhold in November.
If the footage is any indication, the former UFC middleweight champion should be ready to receive a barrage of strikes coming his way and a Diaz brothers level of trash talk.
In the video, the native of Calif. is pushing a hard and heavy pace on Sordi, and taunting him by repeatedly yelling, “Let’s f*cking go.” As well a yelling in pleasure when his training partner obliges and lands strikes of his own. Its impressive stuff considering Sordi is a dangerous striker who’s earned 16 knockouts in his 23 wins, has a notable size advantage over Strickland, and is putting some heat on his punches and kicks. But Strickland would not be the character fans are learning more about without moments just like this.
Hard fought sparring is what Gamebred Training Center is all about
When reached for comment about the video and the aggressive style of sparring at the gym, Terrado explained that the session between the two talented fighters was just the standard set at the facility. To help mold athletes into “real fighters” based on passion, heart, and respect.
“I started [the gym] as my fallback plan after I retire from fighting. I came up broke and with nothing when I started in the fight game. This atmosphere, and gym, are not about being tough but my goal is to produce real fighters and champions who are forged and molded by passion, heart, honor, and respect,” Terrado told MixedMartialArts.com. “Who truly love fighting and martial arts. A belt doesn’t make you a champion but the person who keeps trying again and again and again — even if they know the odds are stacked against them. To have heart and be a real fighter.”
What are your thoughts on Strickland’s style of sparring and how the session went between him and Sordi?
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