UFC middleweight champion Sean Strickland claims unnamed UFC executives told him he can’t attend the White House fight—apparently tied to his outspoken criticism of Israel—yet he says he’s already bought a plane ticket and plans a protest. Bryce Mitchell defen
Sean Strickland did not wait for a press release to decide how he’d show up.
In a video posted on X. the UFC’s reigning middleweight champion said unnamed UFC higher-ups called him to tell him he cannot attend the upcoming White House fight. The message. Strickland joked. was that the executives told him he is not “Israeli enough.” He said the same allegiance he’s been careful about—where his criticism lands—was somehow judged the wrong way.
Strickland, who won the middleweight title last month, pointed to his criticism of the war in Iran and the United States and Israel’s involvement. In his telling, his “allegiance was apparently in the wrong place.”
Then came his defiance, not from a distant statement but from the planning of a return trip. In another video on his Instagram story. Strickland said. “I already bought my plane ticket. we’re f—ing going… I’m gonna get a big f—ing bullhorn. and we’re gonna go right up to the gates. ” adding he called it a “peaceful protest.”.
The friction around the event didn’t stop there. At a press event late Wednesday, UFC fighter Bryce Mitchell backed Strickland and blasted the White House fight itself—arguing that the government is turning its role upside down.
Mitchell said the government is “desecrating its role in society by entertaining sports.” He argued the government should “never” host sporting events because “there’s more room for corruption and we already have a corrupted government. ” and that the role of government is to “protect us. not entertain us.”.
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So they’re banning him because he’s not “Israeli enough”? That sounds made up but also… sounds believable for the world now.
I didn’t even know the White House hosted fights?? Like how is that not just politics in a hoodie. Strickland bought a plane ticket though?? Wild.
Mitchell acting like government hosting sports is automatically corrupt is kinda dramatic. Like corruption isn’t just from a venue, it’s from people doing shady stuff regardless. But yeah the bullhorn protest part is gonna be a mess.
Wait, I thought the White House fight was like for Trump’s birthday or Flag Day or whatever? Now Strickland’s saying UFC execs called and told him he can’t go, and it’s about Israel/Iran?? I’m lost. Also if he’s protesting ‘peacefully’ why does he need to go to the gates like… are gates peaceful too? lol