Strickland's upright Philly shell (left) vs. Mayweather's traditional low Philly shell (right)
Same Family, Opposite Application
Both Sean Strickland and Floyd Mayweather use the Philly shell—shoulder roll, lead hand low, rear hand by the face. But the way they use it could hardly be more different. One stands tall and walks you down; the other sits low and keeps the fight on the outside. Understanding the contrast makes both styles click.
Below is a direct comparison so you can see how one defensive system produces two completely different fighting styles—and where you can go for the full breakdown on each.
Strickland vs Mayweather: Style Comparison Table
Use this table as a quick reference. Same shell, different posture, range, and game plan.
| Aspect | Sean Strickland | Floyd Mayweather |
|---|---|---|
| Posture & base | Upright, almost vertical. Hips forward. Light on both legs. | Low, bladed stance. Weight on back leg. Sits down into the shell. |
| Range preference | Fights in the pocket. Constant forward pressure, stays in striking range. | Keeps fight on the outside. Uses distance and footwork to control range. |
| Primary weapon | Jab as a wall—volume, angles, set-up for everything. Jab-jab-right is the money combo. | Pistol jab + pull counter. Sharp jab to score and measure; pull counter to punish. |
| Defense approach | Safe while in range. Shell + head movement to create angles while advancing. | Safe by controlling range. Shoulder roll + pull back; rarely in the pocket unless countering. |
| Offense approach | Volume and pressure. Winging right, hooks, front kicks—thrown on the move. | Counter-first. Bait, pull, fire. Straight right, long hook, lead right when he chooses. |
| Best against | Movement-based strikers (Adesanya, Imavov). Pressure breaks their rhythm. | Aggressive come-forward fighters. Distance and counters neutralize pressure. |
| Sport context | MMA: must deal with kicks, takedowns. Upright stance helps leg checks. | Boxing only: pure punch defense. No kicks, no takedowns. |
The takeaway: Strickland uses the shell to stay safe while walking in; Mayweather uses it to stay safe while staying out. Same tool, opposite strategy.
Go Deeper: The Mayweather Blueprint
If you want the full breakdown of Mayweather's style—the four guards, the shoulder roll, the pull counter, and how to train it—we've got a complete guide that walks through his 50-0 system.
Full breakdown →How to Box Like Floyd Mayweather: The 50-0 Blueprint
Master the Philly Shell, shoulder roll, and the tactical genius that made Mayweather unbeaten. Covers his guards, long-range weapons, pattern-break system, and combinations.
For a full breakdown of Strickland's upright shell, jab-heavy pressure, and leg kick defense, check out our Sean Strickland fighting style breakdown.
