Strickland Saves Friend From Drowning After Cliff Jump

UFC middleweight champion Sean Strickland pulled a friend from the water after a cliff jump at a Nevada lake nearly turned fatal.

Strickland and several friends were jumping from a roughly 50-foot cliff when one member of the group hit the water and struggled against the current, according to BJ Penn. The friend had voiced concern about the jump beforehand but made it off the cliff safely. Once in the water, though, he began dipping below the surface as he tried to swim back.

Strickland Jumped In After Friend Went Underwater

Video posted to social media shows Strickland reacting as his friend's head went under. He dove in and reached the man before pulling him to safety. No one was injured in the incident.

Strickland reclaimed the middleweight title by beating Khamzat Chimaev at UFC 328 earlier this year. He has yet to lock in a date or opponent for his first defense, though options include a Chimaev rematch, a fight with top contender Nassourdine Imavov, or a third meeting with Dricus du Plessis, who holds two wins over Strickland and recently stopped Kamaru Usman at UFC OKC.

The champion is expected to announce his next fight soon.

Reported via:

• BJPenn — VIDEO | Sean Strickland saves man from drowning after cliff jump