‘It’s uncomfortable’ – Sean Strickland discloses nature of his relationship with Nina-Marie Daniele
Sean Strickland has revealed Nina-Marie Daniele is like a ‘little sister’ to him in light of relationship rumours between the pair. Strickland is a former UFC middleweight champion who won the belt by shockingly defeating Israel Adesanya at UFC 293 in September 2023. Strickland faces du Plessis for the UFC middleweight title this SundayGetty And has previously been linked to a romantic relationship with Danieleninamariedaniele on Instagram The American dropped the belt just four months later when he fought Dricus Du Plessis, who he rematches this Sunday at UFC 312 in Sydney, Australia. Strickland has built a reputation in the past due to his outspoken character, which often creates headlines. But ahead of his fight at UFC 312, one of the more fascinating aspects of his life in the past few months has been his public interactions with MMA influencer Daniele. The former model has become an integral part of the modern UFC community due to her light-hearted, quirky interviews with the likes of Strickland. In August 2023, Daniele announced an upcoming interview with Strickland paired with a photo of the pair posing alongside each other. This sparked mixed reaction online as people took to her Instagram with responses such as: “Just get married already,” and “You and Sean dating?” Strickland has now put to bed any rumours of the pair getting involved in romantic relationship. “She’s like a little sister,” Strickland told Full Violence. “Like, once you get to know Nina, it’s not: Nina, like the Playboy, whatever the f*** she did. “I don’t know if she did but it’s not the hot little photo she posts. Strickland and Daniele have trained and recorded videos together in the paststricklandmma on Instagram “You get to know Nina, bro and it’s uncomfortable…I’ll be making jokes, and she’ll try to like match my energy and she’ll say something like off colour and I’m like: ‘Nina that’s gross like shut the f**k up.’ “You guys don’t know her, you get to know her, Nina’s dope dude… Nina’s like a little sister to me, even the thought of it makes me feel gross. You guys got her wrong.” Daniele – who is also known as Nina Drama – went viral on social media last November when Briton Tom Aspinall turned the tables to ask her an X-rated question. She also turned heads following a sparring session in October with UFC prospect Shara Magomedov, who left her jokingly screaming for help. Strickland has been preparing for a rematch with du Plessis ever since having his hand raised in June last year after a split decision victory over Paulo Costa at UFC 302. In January, he pleaded with the South African champion to make a pact with him at UFC 312 so that he can avoid his opponent’s wrestling. UFC 297: Strickland vs Du Plessis (January, 2024) Stats Sean Strickland Significant strikes – 173 of 408 Total strikes – 183 of 419 Takedowns – 0 of 0 Dricus Du Plessis Significant strikes – 137 of 354 Total strikes – 140 of 358 Takedowns – 6 of 11 Adesanya, who fell to his third straight loss in the UFC on Saturday night, has felt the wrath of both men and offered up a bold prediction for the fight. He was submitted by du Plessis in the latter’s last octagon appearance, which came 11 months after his shock defeat to Strickland. “If I’m going to give the edge to anyone, it would be Dricus in that fight,” Adesanya told the MMArcade podcast. “Even though Sean will definitely try to walk him down again, the one thing about Dricus – he’s just so awkward. “He would throw just to stop me in my tracks. I remembered when I sprawled on him and my head hit the mat. “I tried to kick him on the ground and I was like: ‘Get up,’ and I advanced, and straight away he just went (swings an overhand). “I had to stop, and it stopped my momentum. I had to reset. So, he’s just weird, man. “He’s like the best s*** fighter in the world. He’s so good. I can’t even fault him for it.” Elsewhere at UFC 312, Zhang Weili defends her strawweight belt against Tatiana Suarez in the co-main event, while Justin Tafa faces Tallison Teixeira on the main card also.
Sean Strickland has revealed Nina-Marie Daniele is like a ‘little sister’ to him in light of relationship rumours between the pair.
Strickland is a former UFC middleweight champion who won the belt by shockingly defeating Israel Adesanya at UFC 293 in September 2023.
The American dropped the belt just four months later when he fought Dricus Du Plessis, who he rematches this Sunday at UFC 312 in Sydney, Australia.
Strickland has built a reputation in the past due to his outspoken character, which often creates headlines.
But ahead of his fight at UFC 312, one of the more fascinating aspects of his life in the past few months has been his public interactions with MMA influencer Daniele.
The former model has become an integral part of the modern UFC community due to her light-hearted, quirky interviews with the likes of Strickland.
In August 2023, Daniele announced an upcoming interview with Strickland paired with a photo of the pair posing alongside each other.
This sparked mixed reaction online as people took to her Instagram with responses such as: “Just get married already,” and “You and Sean dating?”
Strickland has now put to bed any rumours of the pair getting involved in romantic relationship.
“She’s like a little sister,” Strickland told Full Violence.
“Like, once you get to know Nina, it’s not: Nina, like the Playboy, whatever the f*** she did.
“I don’t know if she did but it’s not the hot little photo she posts.
“You get to know Nina, bro and it’s uncomfortable…I’ll be making jokes, and she’ll try to like match my energy and she’ll say something like off colour and I’m like: ‘Nina that’s gross like shut the f**k up.’
“You guys don’t know her, you get to know her, Nina’s dope dude… Nina’s like a little sister to me, even the thought of it makes me feel gross. You guys got her wrong.”
Daniele – who is also known as Nina Drama – went viral on social media last November when Briton Tom Aspinall turned the tables to ask her an X-rated question.
She also turned heads following a sparring session in October with UFC prospect Shara Magomedov, who left her jokingly screaming for help.
Strickland has been preparing for a rematch with du Plessis ever since having his hand raised in June last year after a split decision victory over Paulo Costa at UFC 302.
In January, he pleaded with the South African champion to make a pact with him at UFC 312 so that he can avoid his opponent’s wrestling.
UFC 297: Strickland vs Du Plessis (January, 2024)
Stats
- Sean Strickland
Significant strikes – 173 of 408
Total strikes – 183 of 419
Takedowns – 0 of 0
- Dricus Du Plessis
Significant strikes – 137 of 354
Total strikes – 140 of 358
Takedowns – 6 of 11
Adesanya, who fell to his third straight loss in the UFC on Saturday night, has felt the wrath of both men and offered up a bold prediction for the fight.
He was submitted by du Plessis in the latter’s last octagon appearance, which came 11 months after his shock defeat to Strickland.
“If I’m going to give the edge to anyone, it would be Dricus in that fight,” Adesanya told the MMArcade podcast.
“Even though Sean will definitely try to walk him down again, the one thing about Dricus – he’s just so awkward.
“He would throw just to stop me in my tracks. I remembered when I sprawled on him and my head hit the mat.
“I tried to kick him on the ground and I was like: ‘Get up,’ and I advanced, and straight away he just went (swings an overhand).
“I had to stop, and it stopped my momentum. I had to reset. So, he’s just weird, man.
“He’s like the best s*** fighter in the world. He’s so good. I can’t even fault him for it.”
Elsewhere at UFC 312, Zhang Weili defends her strawweight belt against Tatiana Suarez in the co-main event, while Justin Tafa faces Tallison Teixeira on the main card also.
