Sean Strickland’s head coach, Eric Nicksick, is conscious of issues his fighter says on social media about psychological well being, and desires to let the rising star know that he at all times has his again.

On Instagram, the previous UFC middleweight champion spoke overtly and actually about “fighting the demons” inside of him and the struggles he goes by means of. Nicksick doesn’t at all times agree with issues his fighter says, however in terms of the psychological facet of the sport – and ensuring his athletes are the place they have to be in that division – the Xtreme Couture head coach admits he is aware of his fighter nicely.

Maybe, although, Nicksick stated he may do extra, noting Strickland’s UFC 297 loss to Dricus du Plessis and the recommendation he gave Strickland heading into the ultimate spherical.

“I do know why he fights, I do know who he fights for — he fights for that little child inside him that he couldn’t shield,” Nicksick stated on The MMA Hour. “He’ll battle anyone, and all people on the planet for that little man who’s in [his heart], and I stated that to him going into Spherical 5 [at UFC 297]. I want I might have stated that in Spherical 4, however you bought to know who and what they’re combating for.

“These are issues I feel that I’ve acquired to be higher at, and particularly with him.”

Strickland’s latest put up opened up quite a lot of eyes. Nonetheless, he stated there was a function behind it, telling his followers he understands many undergo related battles, and he desires to remind them they’re “not alone” within the battle.

Strickland, 33, joined Theo Von’s This Past Weekend podcast in January and recounted a few of his horrific childhood trauma in an emotional interview.

With regards to all the things Strickland and different fighters have gone by means of of their lives, together with their combating careers, Nicksick has a message of help.

“These women and men undergo a lot, particularly on this sport, then you definitely mix the actual fact along with your mind injury that you simply’re accruing 12 months after 12 months after 12 months, and the CTE, then you definitely add within the reality of this man’s historical past and previous,” Nicksick stated. “Dude, don’t be afraid to speak about some of these items. It doesn’t need to be on Theo Von. We are able to go seize a espresso and sit and simply chat, me and also you, and it stays within the belief tree.

“It additionally helps me perceive extra about my fighter.”