UFC champion Sean Strickland was removed by the U.S. Secret Service from a fan festival tied to the UFC’s White House event after he appeared to enter the gathering despite previously claiming he had been banned from attending. In the days leading up to UFC Freedom 250, Strickland had said he was not permitted to take part in the fight card’s related events, including Friday’s press conference at the Lincoln Memorial and Saturday’s weigh-in at the Ellipse.
On Saturday, however, Strickland posted video of himself moving through what appeared to be the fan festival at the Ellipse, where he was met by excited supporters. In the footage, he told fans not to make too much noise as he was recognized, but he was soon surrounded by people as he entered a ring set up in the middle of the park. Photos later showed him being escorted away by Secret Service members.
In a subsequent video, Strickland appeared to be in the back of a security vehicle and suggested he had not broken any laws, though he joked that the situation might still lead to trouble. The incident came as the UFC Freedom 250 broadcast began and President Donald Trump was shown walking through the White House with UFC president and CEO Dana White.
The event itself is set to feature seven fights on the South Lawn, including two title bouts: Alex Pereira against Ciryl Gane for the interim heavyweight title and Ilia Topuria against Justin Gaethje in a lightweight unification fight.
Strickland, 35, last competed in May, when he defeated teammate-turned-rival Khamzat Chimaev in a major upset to become a two-time champion. He has remained one of the UFC’s most controversial figures, often drawing attention for provocative remarks outside the cage. During his career, he has made repeated inflammatory statements, including comments about wanting to kill an opponent in the octagon someday.
His behavior has also sparked backlash beyond the United States. Before a previous bout in Australia, he faced criticism in local media after making insulting remarks about Australians. The latest episode adds to a long record of controversy surrounding the fighter, whose presence at the White House-linked UFC celebration briefly turned into a security issue before the main card was set to begin.
