Sean Strickland appears to have reunited with a close friend with whom he shared a bitter feud last year.
For years, Strickland and Chris Curtis shared a bond that seemed unlikely at the best of times, even co-hosting a podcast together. But eventually their differences became too much last year and they had a public falling out, which led to the pair blocking each other on social media.
However, a new social media post showed the pair smiling next to each other after taking to the mats on Christmas Day. They're both preparing for big fights: Strickland at UFC 312 for the middleweight title against Dricus Du Plessis, and Curtis in two weeks against Roman Kopylov.
Sean Strickland and Chris Curtis had a bitter public feud
Last summer, after years of an unlikely friendship, Sean Strickland and Chris Curtis had a very public fallout that took place over social media. The pair are on completely opposite ends of the spectrum politically and socially, which is why their pairing always seemed doomed to battle.
However, they managed to maintain their bond for a long time, until a boiling point seemed to be reached during a training session. After Curtis blocked Strickland on social media, a fan asked what happened between the pair.
Photo by Jeff Bottari/Zuffa LLC via Getty Images
The former champion responded: “Weakness is the cancer man, it literally spreads like a virus through the gym…. It affects everyone… I can be quite harsh. Probably too militant. But Curt wanted to practice during sparring and I said no, do it on your own time and he lost it. Very gay… Curt, we miss you lol.”
This led to further public feuds, with Curtis writing a veiled tweet that many fans believed was directed at his former friend. “For those wondering,” he wrote. “I believe you give a certain amount of respect to those who support you.
“If that respect is not reciprocated, it doesn't matter who it is, those people can no longer be involved in your inner circle. It's that simple. Life goes on guys.”
The feud between Sean Strickland and Chris Curtis has divided the gym
The pair were teammates at Xtreme Couture in Las Vegas for years, but their disintegrating relationship threatened to cause trouble at the famed gym. Head coach Eric Nicksick explained that even his own mother kept an eye on the feud on social media and made sure everything was okay.
“I remember them going back and forth on Twitter,” he explained during an appearance on The Casuals MMA podcast. “And I'm like, 'On Twitter, you two idiots?' Keep this nonsense internal, and don't post this on Twitter, both of you.
“My mom said, 'Is everything okay with Chris? Is Chris leaving the gym?' I'm like 'what are you talking about?' There I had to calm my mother down in the comments for a while, because mother would clap at someone.
“There'll be 100 positive comments and one guy will say, 'Yeah, that guy sucks' and my mom will say, 'Excuse me, motherfucker.' I'm like, 'Mom, you don't have to do that'.”
Sean Strickland and Chris Curtis reunite in training photo
However, it's starting to look like the pair have mended their relationship, at least to the point where they can train together. After a few posts of Curtis training with American Top Team, he was spotted training with Xtreme Couture on Christmas Day.
And in an Instagram photo shared by undefeated prospect Reese Watkins yesterday, he and Strickland were seen smiling and standing next to each other after a session. Alex Polizzi stood between them, but they stood close together and seemed happy.
Watkins captioned the photo: “Order on sight for all captured Santa Deniers. Merry Christmas.” He is also currently preparing for a fight, taking on fellow undefeated prospect Christopher Ewert at Fury FC's 100th event on January 12 in Houston.
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