Sean Strickland Shocks Political World: Ex-UFC Champ to Vote Democrat Over AIPAC-Backed Republican

In a seismic political shift, former UFC middleweight champion Sean Strickland announced on 31 July 2025 that he will vote for a Democratic candidate over an AIPAC-endorsed Republican – a stark reversal for the outspoken Trump supporter. This decision reflects growing dissent over US-Israel relations among conservative voters.

Strickland’s Political Pivot Explained

The MMA fighter’s declaration on X (formerly Twitter) stated: “I won’t vote for any candidate owned by a foreign government… AIPAC doesn’t represent American interests.” This positions Strickland alongside a rising faction of Republicans questioning unconditional support for Israel, particularly regarding Gaza.

Key Factors Behind His Shift

• Gaza conflict: 68% of Americans now oppose increased military aid to Israel (Pew Research)
• AIPAC influence: The lobby spent £23M in 2024 elections
• Populist alignment: Echoes the “America First” wing of the GOP

The AIPAC Controversy

Strickland’s stance targets the American Israel Public Affairs Committee (AIPAC), which has:

Political Fallout in MMA

Strickland’s announcement sparked heated reactions:

Supportive Voices

Fellow fighter Jorge Masvidal tweeted: “Finally someone in MMA says what we’re all thinking.”

Opposition

Fox News commentator Dana Loesch called it “a betrayal of conservative values.”

Broader Implications

This move signals three key trends:

1. MMA athletes becoming political influencers
2. GOP’s Israel stance fracturing its base
3. Foreign policy emerging as a wedge issue in 2026 midterms

Frequently Asked Questions

Which Democrat might Strickland support?

He hasn’t named specifics, but analysts suggest populist-leaning candidates like Rep. Ro Khanna (D-CA).

Has any UFC fighter done this before?

No – this is unprecedented for a high-profile MMA conservative.

Could this hurt Strickland’s UFC career?

Unlikely given his fanbase, but may limit crossover endorsements.