
Newly crowned UFC middleweight champion Sean Strickland says he won’t be attending one of the biggest events in UFC history and according to him, it isn’t by choice.
Strickland recently claimed on social media that he has been banned from attending UFC Freedom 250, the historic UFC event scheduled for June 14 on the South Lawn of the White House.
The card, which coincides with the celebration of America’s 250th anniversary, is expected to feature some of the biggest names in mixed martial arts and will take place with President Donald Trump in attendance. But if Strickland’s comments are accurate, the UFC’s reigning middleweight champion will be watching from afar.
Sean Strickland got "the call" from the UFC, but says he's still going to Washington DC to protest the event
Image | Source: Dice City Sports "I got the call, UFC higher ups called me. They said I'm not Israeli enough to go to UFC 250 Israel edition.
I already bought ymy plane ticket, we're f*cking going.… https://t.co/6sri1cYTuD pic.twitter.com/OFRIR9NyGK
— Championship Rounds (@ChampRDS) June 3, 2026
The controversy began when Strickland posted a message on Instagram discussing the upcoming event. “UFC at the White House with [Benjamin Netanyahu] in the audience. Straight [Israel] slop,” Strickland wrote.
“To be fair, they did ban me. But when you make fun of the leaders of America, they tend to be a little petty.” Strickland later elaborated on the claim when responding to a fan who questioned why he wouldn’t be attending. According to the champion, his comments regarding politics and international affairs led to the alleged ban.
In a follow-up exchange, Strickland suggested that his criticism of political figures ultimately resulted in him being excluded from the event. “I made fun of Israel and Epstein,” Strickland wrote.
“The only male American champ banned at the White House because I said Trump is owned by Netanyahu.” As of now, neither the UFC nor White House officials have publicly confirmed Strickland’s claims.
Throughout his UFC career, Strickland has built a reputation as one of the sport’s most outspoken personalities. Whether discussing politics, culture, media, or fellow fighters, the California native rarely filters his opinions.
His candid approach has earned him a loyal fan base while also generating criticism and controversy on numerous occasions. The latest comments regarding the White House event are unlikely to change that dynamic.
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