Eric Nicksick News

Josh Evanoff - February 11, 2025

Sean Strickland’s coach Eric Nicksick has sounded off on his loss at UFC 312 over the weekend. ‘Tarzan’ returned to the octagon in the main event of the UFC’s pay-per-view offering from Australia on Saturday. There, Sean Strickland again met middleweight champion, Dricus du Plessis. ‘Stillknocks’ famously won the gold from the boxing-heavy American last year, by a controversial split decision.

Fernando Quiles Jr. - January 29, 2025

Head coach Eric Nicksick says there’s a key change in Sean Strickland’s mindset going into his championship rematch with Dricus du Plessis. Strickland and du Plessis are set to collide once again in the main event of UFC 312 on February 8th. Strickland was the UFC middleweight champion going into his first encounter with du Plessis back in early 2024. He ended up losing the title via split decision in a highly contested five-round battle.

Harry Kettle - August 12, 2024

Francis Ngannou’s head coach Eric Nicksick believes there’s still a chance that he could go on to battle Jon Jones. Once upon a time, there was great desire from fans to see Francis Ngannou vs Jon Jones. Unfortunately, it never quite came to fruition. Now, Jones is the UFC heavyweight champion. Ngannou, meanwhile, is getting ready to begin a new venture with PFL.

Fernando Quiles Jr. - August 11, 2024

Eric Nicksick, the coach of Francis Ngannou, believes the former UFC Heavyweight Champion is in a good place after healing from the tragic death of his son. Ngannou publicly admitted to struggling with the loss of his son and even said retirement was a possibility. The good news is that “The Predator” seems to have been able to find himself in a good mental space.

Curtis Calhoun - May 24, 2024

Former UFC middleweight champion Sean Strickland’s head coach thinks Paulo Costa presents one unique problem for them to consider at UFC 302. Strickland and Costa will square off in a five-round middleweight co-headliner at UFC 302 on June 1. The winner could potentially earn themselves a middleweight title shot, or at worst, a No. 1 contender fight.

Harry Kettle - December 13, 2023

Sean Strickland’s head coach Eric Nicksick has given his thoughts on the champion’s upcoming clash with Dricus du Plessis. Next month at UFC 297, Sean Strickland will defend his UFC middleweight championship against Dricus du Plessis. With former champ Israel Adesanya taking some time off, du Plessis has stepped up and will be the first man to try and take the belt away from Strickland.

Fernando Quiles Jr. - November 19, 2023

Francis Ngannou’s MMA coach Eric Nicksick has given his take on whether Jon Jones or Tom Aspinall would be the tougher fight for “The Predator.” Ngannou is currently enjoying the fruits of his labor in the boxing world after nearly upsetting WBC heavyweight champion Tyson Fury. While Ngannou is scheduled to make his PFL debut in 2024, most agree that a boxing match would be the next logical move for the former UFC heavyweight champion. Even when his schedule becomes clear, many feel the big MMA fights for Ngannou would’ve been under the UFC banner.

Harry Kettle - November 2, 2023

Xtreme Couture head coach Eric Nicksick wants the UFC and PFL to work together in order to make Jon Jones vs Francis Ngannou happen. Last weekend, Francis Ngannou took Tyson Fury to the limit in his pro boxing debut. He went the distance against ‘The Gypsy King’ and even dropped him, but he wasn’t quite able to get the nod on the scorecards.

Josh Evanoff - September 12, 2023

Sean Strickland’s coach Eric Nicksick had an interesting conversation with Israel Adesanya following UFC 293. ‘Tarzan’ and ‘The Last Stylebender’ faced off in the pay-per-view main event on Saturday. Entering the matchup, Sean Strickland was riding a two-fight winning streak but was a massive underdog. Luckily for the middleweight contender, Eric Nicksick did his scouting on Israel Adesanya.

Harry Kettle - January 17, 2023

Xtreme Couture coach Eric Nicksick has hit back at UFC president Dana White following his claims regarding Francis Ngannou’s release. The news that Francis Ngannou was gone from the Ultimate Fighting Championship hit hard for the MMA community. The former UFC heavyweight champion is now set to explore other options outside of the promotion, and perhaps even outside of mixed martial arts.

Fernando Quiles Jr. - February 6, 2022

Sean Strickland’s coach has had just about enough of Sal D’Amato at the judges’ table. Last night (Feb. 5), Strickland shared the Octagon with Jack Hermansson. The middleweight scrap headlined UFC Vegas 47 inside the UFC Apex. The bout went the distance and by the time it was over, fight fans and media members felt the decision was clearly in favor of Strickland.

Jeffrey Walter - January 26, 2022

Eric Nicksick, the coach of Francis Ngannou, has praised Team Miocic for making an “unbelievably classy move” at UFC 270. Ngannou (17-3 MMA) put his UFC heavyweight championship on the line against former training partner Ciryl Gane (10-1 MMA) in the headliner of last Saturday’s pay-per-view event in Anaheim.