The former UFC middleweight champion has always been a risk for the promotion in regards to marketing and exposure.
When Sean Strickland became the UFC middleweight champion back in 2023, it became immediately clear that it would likely be damaging for the promotion because of his passionate takes.
Despite that, the 34-year-old has long been enabled to say what he wants due to his boss, Dana White, being an advocate for fighters expressing their opinions and personalities.
However, the promotion and its new broadcaster are now facing pressure to address recent comments made by Strickland prior to his UFC Houston main event fight against Anthony Hernandez.
Strickland went on sexist rant about women’s MMA and mocked Bad Bunny during media day
Whenever Strickland has a microphone in his hand, you know something extremely controversial and damaging is going to come out of his mouth.
And this past Wednesday at the UFC Houston media day was no different, as the former champion went on a tirade, attacking women’s MMA and the recently announced fight between Ronda Rousey and Gina Carano, as well as other things.
“There’s nothing wrong with women. They do great things. They cook, they clean,” Strickland said after claiming ‘no one gives a f— about women’s sports’.
Following his attack on women’s sports, Strickland then went on a bizarre rant about the NFL Super Bowl half time show, which included a performance from Bad Bunny.
“I think they all get together around a table and say, ‘You know what guys, how do we ruin this sport? How do we gay it up? Why don’t we bring in a gay foreigner who doesn’t speak f—— English and have him perform?’”
Despite signing a $7.7 billion broadcast deal with the UFC, even Paramount might not have been prepared for the mouthpiece that is Sean Strickland.
However, the broadcaster is now being pressured for comment on Strickland’s antics. Variety, the American trade magazine, has reached out to Paramount and the UFC for their comment, however, both have been silent.
Strickland could find himself back in title contention
If anything has been made clear throughout Strickland’s tenure in the premier MMA promotion, it is that the UFC will not attempt to silence his foul mouth.
And in fact, with a win over ‘Fluffy’ Hernandez on Saturday night, the 34-year-old could once again find himself on the main stage and in middleweight title contention.