Sean Strickland is one of the most controversial fighters in the UFC. Photo: Reproduction/Instagram/UFC Brazil
Next Saturday (8), Sean Strickland steps into the octagon in UFC 312, in Sydney, to face Dricus du Plessis in a dispute for the middleweight belt (up to 83,9 kg). In addition to his skills in the octagon, the former champion is known for a series of statements and attitudes that generate controversy.
His story, marked by childhood abuse, a neo-Nazi phase and controversial comments on sensitive topics, makes him one of the most complex and controversial figures in MMA. With that, the SUPER FIGHTS remembers all the controversial statements of Sean Strickland in the UFC.
Strickland: abuse, neo-Nazi ideology and accusations of homophobia and racism
Strickland, a former UFC champion, is a fighter who does not shy away from controversy. His childhood, marked by abuse and domestic violence, shaped a man who, today, does not mince words when expressing his opinions. In shocking accounts, the American has spoken about the nights he slept on the floor of his mother's room to protect her from her abusive father, and about an episode in which he broke a guitar over his father's head to save his mother from being strangled.
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“I was probably in the third or fourth grade, I used to always sleep in my mother's room because I thought my father was going to kill my mother. So I slept at the door, I slept under the bed. I slept in the doorway because I thought my dad was going to kill my mom,” Strickland said on the 'This Past Weekend' podcast.
During the statement, Strickland recalled an episode in which he had to sleep on the floor to avoid worse events with his guardian.
“One day, it was so f***ed up, they got into a bad fight, it was like third, fourth grade, my dad was like ‘f*** off, he’s not sleeping here tonight, kick him out’. So I crawl under the bed and sleep under the bed. I lie under the bed while they are fighting, because I think my father was going to kill my mother”, revealed the athlete.
Nazi ideology
The difficult path led Strickland to embrace extremist ideologies during his youth, influenced by his neo-Nazi grandfather. The fighter admits that, for a long time, he carried hatred and prejudice with him, drawing swastikas and harboring violent thoughts.
“A tough childhood. They all had a complicated childhood. I met people in my life who made my childhood feel like Disneyland. For me, I was simply nervous. He was so furious that he had these strange neo-Nazi thoughts. The phase of white supremacy. I had so much hate, so much influence in my life and it felt good to hate something. I walked down the street with a knife or a rock, hoping I could kill someone,” he said, in an interview with 'MMA Fighting'.
Although he has renounced the ideas of the past, the former champion's statements continue to cause controversy, such as when he stated that his dream was to kill an opponent in the octagon.
“If you like hurting people, you’re in the right sport. I would love to kill someone in the ring. Nothing beyond that. I would be very happy. (…) I would have to apologize to the police later. Being a psychopath is fun,” said Strickland, still in the octagon, after the UFC Las Vegas 33, when he defeated Uriah Hall.
O @SStricklandMMA He's already shown that he likes to talk even inside the Octagon ️
[ #UFC302 | Saturday (1st) | 19:15 pm | Live on @UFCFightPassBR ➡️ https://t.co/OD62F56z5D ] pic.twitter.com/J2aEK1DoyF
- UFC Brazil (@UFCBrasil) May 29, 2024
Accusations of homophobia and racism
Additionally, Sean doesn't shy away from offensive comments. In 2021, he said he would feel like a failure if he had a gay son, and on several occasions he made statements that were seen as racist and homophobic. Even when he tries to recant, his attempts sound inappropriate and often increase the controversy.
“Here’s the deal. I won't be offensive when I say this. WNBA and NBA. Who watches what? Who makes the most money? There could be women's MMA. I don't like watching. I don't think most people enjoy watching it. If they separated women's MMA from men's, no one would watch this shit. Things are what they are. I don’t know what else to say,” said Strickland.
In December 2021, after a winning season, Sean caused it again. In a homophobic speech, the athlete suggested that he would have failed as a father if he had a gay son.
“If I had a gay son, I would think I failed as a man to create such weakness. If I had a prostitute for a daughter, I would think she just wanted to be like her father. Gays are great. I support them in their choices. Freedom. Gays do this. Most gay men I know are always happy. They all stay friends all day and have sex. We heterosexual men are f***ed because we have to do some serious work to get laid. It’s not fair”, he concluded.
If I had a gay son I would think I failed as a man to create such weakness….. If I had a whore for a daughter I'd think she just wanted to be like her dad lol!! https://t.co/QlfKlpUnWr
— Sean Strickland (@SStricklandMMA) December 27, 2021
Misogyny
Sean Strickland sparked a wave of outrage by making misogynistic comments. The American has now become the target of criticism for expressing backward views on the role of women in society. For him, the entry of women into the job market is one of the causes of the 'deterioration' of society.
“Think about America before women’s suffrage. They tried to ban alcohol. (…) What did you do? You let these women go into the workforce, now we make less money, you have kids raising themselves on TikTok. We have to go back to 1942, or maybe 1958, after we screwed the Germans.”
As the conversation progressed, Strickland continued with a line of reasoning that caused even more discomfort, stating that women's freedom was a historical mistake. He believed that America was more prosperous before women's suffrage and criticized the change as one of the reasons for a supposed social and economic decline.
“Maybe the mistake was letting women vote, no offense,” he concluded.
Sean Strickland, 33 years old, has a record of 29 wins and six losses. The American has already beaten big names such as Israel adesanya, Nassourdine Imavov e Paulo borrachinha. He enters the main fight willing to recover the middleweight belt against his executioner Dricus du Plessis, who won by a split decision in a clash at UFC 297, held in January 2024.
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