Xtreme Couture head coach Eric Nicksick revealed that Strickland’s former opponent, UFC light heavyweight champion Alex Pereira, will corner him for his title fight. Pereira knocked out Strickland in the first round at UFC 276, but the pair have since linked up and trained together.

Sean Strickland will have a familiar face in his corner when he attempts to win his middleweight title back from Dricus du Plessis at UFC 312. That’s because UFC light heavyweight champion

Alex Pereira has not entered the octagon since last October when he defeated Khalil Rountree Jr. via fourth-round TKO to defend his light heavyweight title for the third time in a six-month span.

Sean Strickland will have his work cut out for him when he challenges current champion Dricus Du Plessis in a rematch for the UFC middleweight title at the upcoming UFC 312 pay-per-view (PPV) card on Feb.