When it comes to polarising figures in the world of MMA, few men are as divisive as outspoken UFC Middleweight Champion, Sean Strickland.

However, for as much as the American may stir up controversy with his comments and actions, his resume inside the Octagon is seriously impressive.

Currently in his second reign as the UFC’s 185-pound titleholder, Strickland has gone toe-to-toe with some of the greatest fighters of his generation and has a number of notable victories on his resume.

Sean Strickland’s UFC Career Explored

The 35-year-old boasts wins over the likes of Israel Adesanya, Paulo Costa and Nassourdine Imavov, although his greatest career performance came when he defeated Khamzat Chimaev as a huge underdog to win the middleweight belt again at UFC 328 in May.

Strickland is renowned for his toughness. The California native has seven losses in 38 career fights, but has only ever been knocked out twice.

One opponent, though, hit Strickland so hard that he has never forgotten the experience.

Strickland Names Hardest Puncher He’s Faced in UFC

Heading into UFC 276 in July 2022, Strickland was undefeated at middleweight and ranked as the number four fighter in the division. When he stepped into the Octagon at the T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas that night, he was matched up with surging Brazilian contender Alex Pereira.

‘Poatan’ would go on to become a two-division UFC champion. However, at the time he faced Sean, he was competing in just his third career fight in the promotion.

Pereira won the pair’s bout via stoppage after just two minutes and 36 seconds. He caught Strickland with a vicious left hook that separated him from his senses, before closing the show with a stiff right hand.

During an interview with TNT Sports, Strickland confirmed that Pereira was the hardest puncher he has ever faced in his career, explaining just what it felt like to be caught on the chin by the fearsome striker.

“Here’s the thing, guys. I can go point-for-point with Alex. I can hit him. I can kick him.

Pereira would win the UFC Middleweight Championship from Israel Adesanya in his very next fight, although he would lose it back to him in their immediate rematch.

Following that defeat, Pereira moved up to light heavyweight, where he also won championship gold. In an unlikely twist, Strickland and Pereira have since become good friends and regularly spar together in preparation for fights.

Thankfully for Strickland, those sparring sessions don’t involve the sort of blows that Pereira landed on him when they fought for real.

The Round of 32 at the 2026 World Cup has come to a close, leaving just 16 teams in the hunt to earn a first – or another – star on their badge.

The expansion of the tournament from 32 nations to 48 saw a more hectic group stage and this additional knockout round, which lived up to expectations. The inaugural Round of 32 saw some fascinating ties, as Argentina were taken to extra-time by Cape Verde, the Netherlands were knocked out by Morocco and Germany were upset by Paraguay.

Canada, Egypt and Norway won their first World Cup knockout matches, while ten of the 16 ties were decided on penalties or by winning goals from the 85th minute onwards. If the next stage of the competition comes close to resembling this level of drama, fans are in for an enthralling ride.

So, with the teams confirmed, some interesting fixtures set up, and with how unpredictable this World Cup has been already, it makes predicting what will occur in the upcoming knockout rounds extremely difficult. With that in mind, we’ve drafted in the assistance of Grok AI to provide its verdict, result-by-result.

Last 16

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As far as the Round of 16 goes, Argentina and France are the only sides predicted to win comfortably, with routine victories against Egypt and Paraguay, respectively, forecasted. Two of the co-hosts are expected to progress into the final eight, with the USA predicted to beat Belgium 2-1 in Seattle, while England’s pursuit of a second star is expected to come to an end on penalties at the hands of Mexico.

Meanwhile, Grok believes fellow co-hosts Canada’s dream tournament will conclude in this round, with Morocco tipped to overcome them with a 2-1 win in Houston. Elsewhere, Spain are expected to end Cristiano Ronaldo’s World Cup endeavours, Switzerland are poised to beat Colombia on penalties, while Brazil are anticipated to narrowly avoid an upset against Norway.

Quarter-Finals

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France are tipped to continue their strong run by progressing into the final four with a clinical victory over Morocco in Boston. Spain, meanwhile, are predicted to be the team to end USA’s dreams, overcoming Mauricio Pochettino’s side’s home advantage as a result of their midfield dominance and their experience at major tournaments.

Brazil are also expected to spoil a host nation’s party, with Grok insisting that Carlo Ancelotti’s team will overcome Mexico in a passionate clash in Miami. Argentina round things off with the most dominant display of the quarter-finals, as Lionel Messi is tipped to once again lead his nation to a World Cup semi-final with a mesmeric display against Switzerland.

Semi-Finals

REUTERS/Marco Bello

France are predicted to narrowly edge past Spain in a box office all-European clash. Les Blues’ attacking depth is expected to just about prove to be too much for Spain’s possession game, with this high-tempo affair tipped to go the distance in extra-time.

Meanwhile, Brazil and Argentina meet in one of football’s greatest rivalries in Atlanta, and the game is expected to deliver drama. The Argentines are predicted to edge a fiery contest, which will ultimately be decided by their experience and star power in forward areas with Messi.

Third Place Playoff

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Brazil are tipped to claim Bronze with an emphatic victory over Spain. In typical third-place play-off fashion, an open game is predicted to ensue in Miami.

Final

REUTERS

The final delivers an intense repeat of the 2022 showdown in Qatar, where Lionel Messi ended his wait for a World Cup triumph by playing a key part in Argentina’s penalty shootout victory over France.

While that game provided end-to-end action and non-stop entertainment, a more cagey affair is expected this time around. France’s squad rotation and defensive solidity is expected to prevail, although the game is tipped to go to penalties after goals from Messi and Kylian Mbappe cancel each other out.

Didier Deschamps’ team are anticipated to edge the shootout, meaning France claim their third star.

Manchester United have held talks over a potential move to sign a new winger during the summer transfer window.

A large part of United’s focus in the market has been on bringing in additional bodies in the middle of the park.

They’ve struggled with multiple moves, seeing Mateus Fernandes and Elliot Anderson move to Tottenham and Manchester City, respectively.

Their priority continues to be bringing in additional midfielders, but they do need to strengthen in other positions.

The Red Devils will be hoping to reinforce multiple areas of the pitch in the summer transfer window, especially after qualifying for the Champions League last season.

Michael Carrick needs a deeper and more competitive squad in order to compete on all fronts. Meaning it could be a busy few weeks for the Manchester club.

Man Utd Open Winger Talks

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According to reports in Italy, Manchester United have held talks over a potential move to sign AC Milan winger Rafael Leao in the summer transfer window.

It’s claimed that Milan are demanding at least £60m to allow the Portuguese winger to depart, while he also has interest from other Premier League clubs, Turkey, and Saudi Arabia.

Leao has a monster release clause, but Milan are willing to accept less than that to sanction a departure.

The Milan winger previously confirmed in the media that he wants to leave the club in the current summer transfer window. He has piqued the interest of a host of sides around Europe.

United are one of those who have made a move, but it remains to be seen whether they turn that interest into an official bid.

Leao Could be Game-Changer

It would be a huge statement from the Red Devils if they can bring Leao to Old Trafford during the summer transfer window.

The Portuguese attacker, described as ‘one of the best wingers in Europe’, is undoubtedly an inconsistent player, but he has that star quality that can change a game.

He would offer raw pace and directness that United don’t really have on the left-hand side of attack. There’s no doubt he’ll be pushing to become a guaranteed starter pretty soon.

United face plenty of competition for his signature, so it certainly won’t be easy. They need to start making some moves in the transfer market if they want to compete on all fronts next season.