Sean Strickland slams Din Thomas over his comments on Gillian Robertson after her UFC 330 title fight

Gillian Robertson and Sean Strickland have both competed in the world's premier MMA organization, the UFC, for many years. The veteran fighters have forged notable legacies in the women's and men's realms, respectively. 

Robertson, after her most recent Octagon appearance, has found support from many in the mixed martial arts community, including Strickland. 

The two-time and reigning UFC middleweight champion has joined the chorus against Robertson's longtime coach and former UFC fighter, Din Thomas, in the aftermath of UFC 330. 

Gillian Robertson's display of respect for veteran BJJ and MMA coach Din Thomas ahead of her first UFC title shot

Gillian Robertson was on the verge of making history by becoming the first-ever female UFC champion from Canada. In what's been a long and storied career, having fought at both flyweight and strawweight in the UFC, she finally received her maiden title shot. 

"The Savage" took on multi-time BJJ world champion and the reigning UFC women's strawweight champion Mackenzie Dern in the co-headlining match of UFC 330 in Philadelphia on August 15. 

Heading into the fight, the UFC highlighted Robertson's arduous journey to her first UFC title fight. Notably, she hailed her longtime coach and retired MMA fighter-turned-commentator and analyst, Din Thomas. 

The 31-year-old praised him, emphasizing that he drives a couple of hours twice a week to The Goat Shed Academy (aka Goat Shed) in Doral, Florida, to train her. She even stated, "I feel like he is my biggest inspiration." 

Moreover, during her UFC 330 media day session last week, Robertson cited her longstanding student-teacher bond with Thomas. Indicating that her potential title win would be one for herself and Thomas, she said: 

"Since I was 15 years old, Din and I have been working together. So I think it really is our belt more than anything else. He's molded me into the fighter that I am today. So it would mean the world for me to be able to win that for us." 

Watch Gillian Robertson discuss her relationship with Din Thomas below (*comments at the 21:00-minute mark of the video): 

Din Thomas's controversial comments immediately after Gillian Robertson's loss at UFC 330

Gillian Robertson ended up suffering a defeat on the scorecards in her title fight at UFC 330, with Mackenzie Dern retaining her 115-pound belt by way of unanimous decision. 

Din Thomas, who's coached Robertson through her career -- previously at ATT (American Top Team) and at Goat Shed in recent years -- subsequently appeared on the UFC 330 Post Show on Paramount+. 

In the aftermath of having served as a cornerman for Robertson in the title fight at UFC 330, Thomas announced that he's retiring from cornering fighters. Additionally, many fans were irked by his remark that he felt this was as far as he believes she could go in her career. 

Thomas said, "I told myself I would continue to do this until I took Gillian as far as she can go. I think that might be as far as she can go. And I am officially retiring from cornering fighters tonight." 

He added, "It's just -- I told myself that I would do this with her. I would see her journey out and take her as far as I think she can go. And this might be as far as she can go." 

Thomas implied that he'll still work with fighters but wouldn't be a part of their corner, as it entails too much stress and obligations. He underlined that he'd been building toward his departure from cornering for quite some time and feels that it'd be unfair to the fighters if he were to continue it, as they deserve someone who can be more committed to the role. 

Watch Din Thomas's announcement after his star pupil's title fight at UFC 330 below: 

Din Thomas announced that he is retiring from cornering fighters

📺 @paramountplus pic.twitter.com/zdkW27eVxk

— UFC on Paramount+ (@UFConParamount) August 16, 2026

Sean Strickland sounds off against Din Thomas amid fan backlash over the MMA trainer's remarks on Gillian Robertson

A number of fight fans and experts soon chimed in and lambasted Din Thomas, particularly asserting that he shouldn't have publicly questioned Gillian Robertson's potential to become a UFC champion, immediately after her defeat in the high-stakes title fight nonetheless. 

Sean Strickland appeared to echo similar sentiments and condemned Thomas. Taking to X, "Tarzan" pointed out that he himself was beaten in multiple weight classes but was able to win a pair of UFC championship fights. Seemingly showing support to Robertson, Strickland wrote: 

"Din Thomas is a f**king c**t.. Ive had my a** kicked in multiple weight classes through my career and won two titles... Youre a d**k head. Its probably better you retire. Youre a sh** coach. You only lose when you quit... Din sounds like youre a f**king loser." 

Din Thomas is a fucking cunt.. Ive had my ass kicked in multiple weight classes through my career and won two titles...

Youre a dick head. Its probably better you retire. Youre a shit coach.

You only lose when you quit... Din sounds like youre a fucking loser.

— Sean Strickland (@SStricklandMMA) August 17, 2026

In response to a netizen who deemed Thomas a legend, Strickland replied: 

"Hes just a c**t. Girl goes out there and tries to do something and you put her down. D**k head." 

Presently, the consensus is that Robertson would be looking to regroup and rebuild her momentum en route to another title shot. Meanwhile, Strickland has been eyeing a return in December, which could be an immediate rematch against Khamzat Chimaev with the UFC middleweight title at stake. 

Hes just a cunt... Girl goes out there and tries to do something and you put her down. Dick head

— Sean Strickland (@SStricklandMMA) August 17, 2026