UFC champion Strickland pledges to train India's Jubli after UFC Performance Institute session

Sean Strickland has pledged to personally assist Indian UFC fighter Anshul Jubli in training after the two worked together at the UFC Performance Institute in Las Vegas, with the middleweight champion promising to return in two weeks to continue the sessions.

Strickland (31-7) announced the commitment on X, mixing praise for Jubli with a racially charged joke about Indian stereotypes. “Real talk, this man is holding it down for India,” Strickland wrote. “When I’m back in two weeks I’m gonna help him and bring soap. He gonna be a real n—a when I’m done with him.”

Jubli (7-2) arrived in the UFC with considerable hype after winning the inaugural Road to UFC tournament to earn his contract. Entering his promotional debut undefeated, the fighter known as “King of Lions” appeared on course for a winning start against Mike Breeden in 2023, leading through the first two rounds before Breeden produced a come-from-behind stoppage in the third.

His second UFC outing proved even more difficult. In February 2025, Jubli was knocked out in just 19 seconds by Australian prospect Quillan Salkilld, leaving him without a win inside the organisation and in need of a significant turnaround.

Strickland’s intervention, however unconventional in its delivery, represents a notable boost for Jubli. Access to a former UFC champion’s training knowledge and network at the Performance Institute could prove a meaningful step as the Indian fighter looks to salvage his UFC career.