If there were any doubts about how serious Dylan Fairchild is about his NFL debut, they’ve been erased with one swing of a fist—and it didn’t even happen on the gridiron.
Fairchild, the Cincinnati Bengals’ third-round pick in the 2025 NFL Draft, has taken an unconventional yet undeniably intense approach to preparing for his rookie season: training inside the cage with former UFC Middleweight Champion Sean Strickland. Yes, that Sean Strickland—the hard-nosed, brutally unfiltered MMA standout known for his striking, stamina, and savage work ethic.
A video clip surfaced recently showing the 6’5”, 320-pound Fairchild moving around the Octagon with Strickland, exchanging grips and grapples like a man who’s been there before. As it turns out, he has. Fairchild didn’t just dabble in wrestling—he dominated it. Back in high school, the Georgia native was an undefeated, two-time state heavyweight champion, racking up a pristine 67-0 career record, including a spotless 22-0 senior season. That’s not just impressive; that’s the kind of pedigree that builds mental toughness few linemen bring with them to the NFL.
Under the guidance of offensive line coach Scott Peters, a former NFL lineman with a deep background in combat sports himself, the Bengals have placed a premium on hand fighting, leverage, and trench warfare mechanics that mirror those used by fighters like Strickland in the cage.
Strickland himself took to Instagram to praise Fairchild’s grappling ability, declaring simply, “The man can wrestle.” And coming from a former world champion in combat sports, that’s more than a compliment—it’s a warning to anyone lining up across from Fairchild this fall.
The fact that Fairchild is over 300 pounds and can move like that is incredible, and I’m just going to say it. Strickland sure looked like he got more than he bargained for.
Cincinnati Bengals guard Dylan Fairchild training with Sean Strickland pic.twitter.com/WrL5ffFW7I
— Otto rocket (@Jon3sy937) June 28, 2025
Bengals rookie Dylan Fairchild with former UFC middleweight champ Sean Strickland 👀 #bengals #nfl pic.twitter.com/Gm3lo9GF0E
— JD (@Ztakesit) June 27, 2025
