Sparring footage of Strickland vs Rukiya Anpo

[michi972]

I've known about Anpo for a while, he's a beast. And he absolutely tuned up Strickland, but the size difference was a bit too much. If he were 20 lbs heavier he probably KOs Sean in sparring, was tagging him clean over and over.

To be fair lighter Strickland would be in shape Strickland, so smaller weight difference wouldn't be an advantage there for Ampo

 

[RockyLockridge]

I kinda disagree.

His footwork is very poor and his technique while very good by MMA standards is lacking by boxing standards imo.

i assume if he was purely just boxing he'd tailor his style and technique for that.

 

[chinarice]

Imagine if Strickland fought the way he sparred? Dude doesn't do 1/10th in an actual fight that we see in his sparring sessions.

 

[Contempt]

If Sean can ever fight like he spars, he would be a legend. He goes balls out in sparring sessions, but is far more defensive and reserved in actual fights.

He's still top level even in the latter, but imagine if he stepped up his offense and fought to his sparring intensity in actual fights.

Last time he threw caution to the wind and went after his opponent, he got slept with a left hook. The stakes are way lower in sparring.

 

[Contempt]

Is there any video of Sean sparring larger guys lol. This is probably why his defense is so good though.

Pretty sure Chris Curtis is is main sparring partner. He's just as big as Sean... also has great defence. I guess they'd both have to if that's the way they spar.

 

[moosaev]

To be fair lighter Strickland would be in shape Strickland, so smaller weight difference wouldn't be an advantage there for Ampo

Even an in shape Strickland is ~30 lbs heavier than Anpo, assuming they’re both in shape. It’s an enormous size difference.

 

[Uber_Noober]

 

[biscuitsbrah]

His team let their boy get damaged pretty good. I know Japanese is all about honor and stuff but their team doing a bad job lol.

Looks like he was near finished 2-3 times lol.

I wonder how many rounds they did. Maybe 2-3. If that was a single round that’s crazy

 

[NoStoneUnturned]

Some of those "little" uppercuts Sean got through, yeesh.... Good body shots by Anpo. Man, I don't want any part of that type of sparring. Zip.

 

[Snoowpy]

The fuck were those half hammer fists from Sean ?!?

That shit hurts too. I throw my spinning backfists this way. Zero padding on that side enforced by the shape of the glove. It hurts!

 

[El Panteron]

Man fights when he spars and spars when he fights.

 

[Kwic]

Some sweet hands on Anpo.
And props to Sean for not being afraid to get hit like that without head gear.

 

[duke_droese]

Strickland always tries to kill guys in sparring WHEN he has the advantage on them

Need to resurrect that fat BJJ guy who made him cry.

 

[moosaev]

Some of those "little" uppercuts Sean got through, yeesh.... Good body shots by Anpo. Man, I don't want any part of that type of sparring. Zip.

The Kronk gym in Detroit was famous for their hard sparring. Literally high level pros trying to knock each other flat out every day. Terrifying environment, you had to really be confident in your skills to go in there every day. Part of why guys like James Toney and Tommy Hearns were the beasts they were.

 

[NoStoneUnturned]

The Kronk gym in Detroit was famous for their hard sparring. Literally high level pros trying to knock each other flat out every day. Terrifying environment, you had to really be confident in your skills to go in there every day. Part of why guys like James Toney and Tommy Hearns were the beasts they were.

One of the best quotes from Toney was something to the effect of "I will fight you at your momma's weight". I've watched footage from that era. Committed to their craft is an understatement.

 

[acannxr]

Could they fight in a smaller cage?

To be fair, there's such limited space in Tokyo that most "gyms" have rings that size (if they have a ring at all).

 

[PhotographyRaptor]

Pretty sure Chris Curtis is is main sparring partner. He's just as big as Sean... also has great defence. I guess they'd both have to if that's the way they spar.

I had forgotten about that. I’m actually a fan of Sean despite his lack of finishes. He’s like a kindred spirit just a little nuttier lol