Sean Strickland calls Din Thomas ‘sh*t coach’ for reaction to Gillian Robertson loss at UFC 330

Sean Strickland has launched a fierce attack on veteran MMA coach Din Thomas following UFC 330, where Thomas announced his retirement from corner work immediately after his fighter Gillian Robertson lost a strawweight title bid to champion Mackenzie Dern in the co-main event.

Thomas's departure from coaching drew widespread criticism on social media, with observers pointing out the poor optics of stepping away from Robertson—whom he has coached for years—at such a vulnerable moment. Robertson had compiled a 5-0 record since dropping to 115 pounds and was on the verge of becoming Canada's first UFC champion since Georges St-Pierre.

Strickland, speaking from experience as a fighter who has competed across multiple weight classes and won UFC titles despite early career setbacks, did not hold back in his assessment. On Twitter, he called Thomas a "shit coach" and accused him of being a quitter, arguing that "you only lose when you quit." Strickland also defended Robertson's effort in the fight, criticizing Thomas for putting down a fighter who had "gone out there and tried to do something."

Strickland's rebuke carries particular weight given his own career trajectory. The middleweight champion began as a welterweight before climbing the ranks at 185 pounds, ultimately capturing gold with a stunning upset of previously dominant Israel Adesanya in 2023. He retained his title in May at UFC 328 by defeating the previously unbeaten Khamzat Chimaev.

Whether intentional or not, Thomas's timing in announcing his retirement from coaching left a sour taste, appearing to abandon Robertson when she needed support most following a tough five-round championship loss.