Mike Perry Opens Up About Sparring with Sean Strickland
- Austin Jones
- Jun 12
- 4 min read
Mike Perry Opens Up About Sparring with Sean Strickland
Mike Perry, known for his fearless fighting spirit, recently shared his experience sparring with former UFC middleweight champion Sean Strickland in an interview with MMA Fighting. The session, which took place in Las Vegas, provided Perry with invaluable insights into Strickland’s unique style and the sheer physicality required to compete with the 185-pounder.
The Setup: A Sparring Session Out of Choice
Perry, who has built a reputation for his aggressive and unorthodox fighting style, made the conscious decision to seek out Strickland for a sparring session. Despite their differing career trajectories, Perry reached out to Strickland, knowing that the opportunity to test his mettle against such a high-level fighter would be invaluable.
“We’ve talked about it a few times and I went out of my way to make it happen,” Perry explained. “I had to go to Vegas. Obviously, he’s the big name and ‘Platinum’s’ got his own name, his own power going on, but that was kind of my choice to make and I made sure I wrote him and contacted him and we talked. I sent him my number, he hit me up, and he’s such a great guy."
Strickland, always open to helping others improve, invited Perry to join him for sparring. The session was set, but it wasn’t just about the fighting. “Sean Strickland was trying to get me to ride dirt bikes and shoot guns out there in the desert of Las Vegas,” Perry joked. "I just didn’t have the time, but I could stop by. You guys got sparring at 10 a.m. on this day? OK, I’ll be there.”
Sparring with Strickland: The Physical and Mental Challenge
When Perry finally stepped into the ring with Strickland, he quickly realized the magnitude of the challenge. Despite landing some solid shots on the former UFC champ, Perry admits he was far from his best physical condition for the session. The difference in size between the two was also a significant factor.
“I showed up, I did some warmups, did a round with someone else, and then I did a round with Sean—who’s very big by the way,” Perry said. “He’s got, at least, 35 pounds on me, and it was nice to see his style and how he is and feel some of those punches. Obviously, that’s a ‘Platinum’ pressure style that I had to use to get myself close to him to even try to make contact.”
Perry, known for his relentless pressure and unbreakable will, found himself facing a tough test against Strickland’s precise defensive style. Strickland’s ability to block punches, wear down his opponents, and keep them on the backfoot was immediately evident.
“Sean was very defensive, and I can make you very tired just by blocking a lot of your punches, or taking some of them right on the forehead,” Perry continued. “When I’m in that type of shape, plus elevation in Las Vegas, it’s not something I prepared myself for. I just showed up at the gym and did it, a five-minute round with Sean Strickland.”
The altitude in Las Vegas, combined with the intensity of Strickland’s pressure, proved to be a difficult combination for Perry. However, he remained undeterred, recognizing the value of the experience.
The Criticism and Perry’s Response
After footage of the sparring session surfaced online, Perry and Strickland faced criticism from fans who weren’t impressed with the session. Perry, a fighter who has long been familiar with online hate, took the negative comments in stride, turning them into a source of motivation.
“Obviously, he’ll work with you probably, because most people don’t want to go for Sean Strickland for five minutes,” Perry responded to the critics. “And if they did, we would see what would happen to him. Any of those punches that I had to take just to roll off the shoulder would have dropped a lot of folks that are in the comments talking.”
Perry emphasized that sparring with Strickland wasn’t about proving anything to the critics; it was about testing himself and learning from the experience. “But I wanted to give you guys the entertainment and show you guys. It was cool to spar Sean, man. I like his capabilities.”
He further reflected on the sparring session, imagining what it would be like if he were in peak condition, with the endurance to go multiple rounds with Strickland. “Imagine if I have the cardio to go three, five-minute rounds with him? That pressure of me blocking those punches with my forehead. I’m going to make you so tired, you’re going to look for a way out. I don’t care who you are.”
FIGHT.TV Breaks It Down
For Mike Perry, sparring with Sean Strickland was more than just a chance to trade punches. It was a humbling experience that highlighted the importance of preparation, physical conditioning, and the mental fortitude needed to survive at the top level of the sport. Despite the criticism, Perry remains undaunted, confident that his relentless style and unique pressure will continue to set him apart from others in the UFC.
“I’m out here elevating. I’m lifting people up,” Perry said, cementing his belief that no matter the challenges, he’s always looking to improve—and encourage others to do the same.
