UFC middleweight champion Sean Strickland is always up for a fight, and this time, he has his sights set on battling a Vegas Golden Knights player for the fun of it.
“Tarzan” recently handed Khamzat Chimaev his first-ever loss at the UFC 328 middleweight bout. Following this, Strickland is set for a title rematch against top contender Nassourdine Imavov, but before then, Strickland plans on throwing hands with a hockey player.
In a recent tweet, Strickland sent a message to the Vegas Golden Knights.
“I really want to box a hockey player,” Strickland said.“This is on the bucket list, but it has to be done on ice to make it fair [LAUGHS]. Golden Knights, pick your champion.”
As of this writing, the Knights’ social media accounts haven’t responded to Strickland’s challenge. Vegas isn’t short on candidates if anyone in the room takes the bait. Brayden McNabb already served a one-game suspension this postseason for a hit on Ryan Poehling, and the Knights have leaned on physicality all the way through the 2026 playoffs. Picking a champion shouldn’t take long.
Of course, the Knights have other things on the calendar. They grabbed a 2-0 series lead over the Avalanche in the Western Conference Final on Friday night, so a side trip to spar with a UFC champion probably isn’t top of mind for the front office.
If Strickland’s challenge is accepted, he’ll have to battle through several injuries suffered during his win at UFC 328. Strickland also suffered a shoulder injury just days before fight night, as he admitted in a now-viral backstage clip.
Despite his ailments, Strickland seems committed to boxing one of the Knights’ players as he prepares for his Octagon comeback later this year.
