Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC) Middleweight champion Sean Strickland will not be attending UFC Freedom 250.
That’s because, according to Strickland, he has been banned from the historic event, which goes down next weekend (Sun., June 14, 2026) in front of the White House on the South Lawn in Washington, D.C., to celebrate America’s 250th anniversary.
Strickland revealed the news in the comments section of a UFC promo video for Alex Pereira vs. Ciryl Gane, claiming his past comments about political leaders are the reason he won’t be allowed anywhere near the event.
“UFC at the White House with [Benjamin Netanyahu] in the audience. Straight [Israel] slop,” Strickland wrote. “To be fair, they did ban me. But when you make fun of the leaders of America, they tend to be a little petty lol by leaders, I mean Israel.”
Naturally, a fan asked Strickland why he was banned.
“I made fun of Israel and Epstein,” Strickland replied. “The only male American champ banned at the White House because I said Trump is owned by [Netanyahu]. That’s not public opinion, it’s fact.”
Strickland is no stranger to being outspoken — on just about everything — and it has landed him in hot water several times throughout his UFC career. The 35-year-old has had his microphone cut during press conferences, gone after reporters during fight week, and repeatedly used his platform to rant about politics, culture and world leaders.
So, in other words, it is not exactly shocking that UFC and White House officials might not want to risk giving him a live microphone or putting him anywhere near the South Lawn during one of the biggest promotional events in company history.
During the fight week in which he eventually won the Middleweight title from Khamzat Chimaev, Strickland was asked if he planned on attending UFC Freedom 250. In typical Strickland fashion, he joked that he would probably get thrown out because he would ask Donald Trump about the missing Epstein files.
Well, apparently, he won’t get that chance.
UFC Freedom 250 is shaping up to be one of the most unique events in the promotion’s history, with UFC Lightweight champion Ilia Topuria unifying the title against interim champion Justin Gaethje in the main event.
Strickland, however, will be watching from somewhere else.
Good. They should also ban a shit load of the Muslims who say crazy shit about America too.
Strickland does a good job trolling the spectrum, imo.
Please show me one example of a muslim signed to the UFC that has said anything bad about america?
fuck trump and benny
His social media is fucking hilarious.
Can’t have him saying anything about the little hats/pedos in front of the house they’re occupying.
Where do I begin?
With 1
Hard to narrow it down, with so many options
So list some
I actually think the UFC does a very good job of keeping their Muslims quiet and apathetic
The UFC has all the power in the relationship so they definitely bully people on what they can say and how they can act while under contract
Fucking hilarious
Look at this tough guy responding to Strickland.
Cool story, I guess?
Hes a ladybug, good faith convos aren’t exactly their thing.