Additional Coverage:
Sean Strickland, the current UFC Middleweight Champion, was escorted from the UFC Freedom 250 Fan Fest at the Ellipse by Secret Service agents on Sunday evening after he showed up despite being told he was not allowed to attend the event.
Strickland later clarified on Instagram that he was neither arrested nor jailed but hinted he might face charges for disorderly conduct-a Class B misdemeanor in Washington, D.C., which can carry penalties of up to 90 days in jail, a $500 fine, or both.
In the weeks leading up to the event, Strickland had publicly expressed his belief that his outspoken political views led to his exclusion from the historic UFC card held near the White House. He had criticized former President Donald Trump’s relationship with Israel and connections to Jeffrey Epstein, suggesting these stances were reasons for his ban. Meanwhile, the UFC limited media access to Trump and the South Lawn during the event.
UFC President Dana White disputed these claims, explaining that Strickland was not invited simply due to limited space at the venue. Unconvinced, Strickland made his dissatisfaction clear on social media, promising to attend the event regardless. “Apparently, I’m not American enough to go to Freedom 250,” he wrote online, adding that he would bring his championship belt and a bullhorn to make his presence known.
In the hours before the card, Strickland continued to stir controversy, posting a photo on X (formerly Twitter) mocking Trump’s famous Western Wall visit by posing next to a random wall with a plate on his head, captioned, “Who did it better?”
True to his word, Strickland showed up at the Fan Fest on the Ellipse-a large park adjacent to the South Lawn where tens of thousands of fans gathered to watch the fights on big screens. His arrival was met with hostility from the predominantly MAGA-supporting crowd, who greeted him with boos and jeers before breaking into chants of “USA.” Secret Service agents quickly intervened and escorted him off the premises.
This incident added to an already tumultuous day, as the fight card faced a one-hour delay due to severe weather threatening the Washington, D.C. area. The event itself was notable not only for the fights but also because it doubled as a celebration of former President Trump’s 80th birthday.
Strickland is one of several American champions in the UFC but stands out for his unpredictable and outspoken nature. His political views have notably shifted over time; once a staunch Trump supporter, he has become increasingly critical, particularly regarding Trump’s foreign policies and the situation in Iran.