Former UFC middleweight champion Sean Strickland has once again found himself at the centre of a firestorm following a series of disparaging remarks during the UFC Houston media day on Wednesday.
Strickland was at the event to promote his upcoming clash with Anthony Hernandez this Saturday—his first appearance since a suspension in July 2025 for a physical altercation while cornering a teammate. However, the pre-fight build-up has been completely overshadowed by Strickland’s comments regarding female athletes, the LGBTQ+ community, and pop star Bad Bunny.
“Ruined Society”: Comments on Women’s MMA
When questioned about the recently announced Netflix match between pioneers Ronda Rousey and Gina Carano, Strickland dismissed the bout, making crude jokes regarding Rousey’s personal history and suggesting that “no one gives a f*** about women’s sports.”
The 34-year-old went on to claim that women have been empowered “too much,” stating that they have “ruined society” and suggesting they should stick to domestic roles like “cooking and cleaning.”
Broadcasting Partners Under Pressure
The timing of the outburst is particularly awkward for the promotion. The fight is set to air on Paramount+, marking the beginning of a landmark seven-year, $7.7 billion exclusive broadcasting deal between Paramount and the TKO Group.
Strickland also took aim at the NFL and Super Bowl LX halftime performer Bad Bunny, using homophobic slurs and criticising the league’s leadership for their modern direction. “How do we ruin this sport? How do we gay it up?” Strickland remarked while mocking NFL executives.
At the time of writing, neither the UFC nor representatives for Paramount+ have issued a formal response to the comments. It remains to be seen if the promotion will take disciplinary action, especially given Strickland’s recent return from a disciplinary suspension.
🗣️ MMAUK POLL: SHOULD THE UFC INTERVENE?
Strickland has always been a polarising figure, but has he crossed the line ahead of the Paramount+ debut?
- Does the UFC have a responsibility to discipline fighters for media day comments?
- Should broadcasting partners like Paramount+ have more say in fighter conduct?
Let us know your thoughts in the comments. 👇
