Sean Strickland / Getty Images

NSAC Hands Sean Strickland Penalty Following June Incident

Originally posted on Athlon Sports | By Prince Horton | Last updated Aug 21, 2025 1:14 PM ET

Strickland handed suspension and fine after Vegas altercation, but his name remains in title talks

The ride hasn’t been smooth for Sean Strickland since his February rematch at UFC 312, where he dropped a unanimous decision to Dricus du Plessis. True to form, Strickland hasn’t gone quiet—stirring headlines with his blunt takes, unfiltered personality, and constant presence in the fight game. So when what should have been just another night cornering a teammate at a small Vegas show suddenly turned chaotic, few were shocked that Strickland found himself at the center of attention once again.

At Tuff-N-Uff 145, Strickland was in the corner for teammate Miles Hunsinger when he took on Luis Hernandez in a middleweight amateur matchup.

Hernandez locked up a standing guillotine in the second round, forcing the stoppage. The finish wasn’t the end, though. Hernandez turned to Strickland’s side of the cage, throwing taunts and gestures that pushed tensions over the edge. Strickland reacted, charging into the cage before unloading a pair of punches at Hernandez, only to be restrained by officials. The moment was caught on video in a clip shared by Championship Rounds and quickly spread across MMA circles.

Sean Strickland just entered the cage at Tuff-n-Uff and punched someone after he beat his teammate

(h/t @AlexBehunin) pic.twitter.com/MSlAKCCRsG
— Championship Rounds (@ChampRDS) June 29, 2025

Now, the Nevada State Athletic Commission has handed down punishment. As reported by Nolan King, Strickland has received a six-month suspension, which could be trimmed to four and a half months if he completes an anger management course. On top of that, he’s facing a $5,000 fine plus legal fees.

Sean Strickland has been suspended six months by the NSAC for his in-cage altercation at a Tuff-N-Uff event June 29. His suspension can be reduced to 4.5 months if he completes an anger management course. He's also been fined $5,000 + legal fees. pic.twitter.com/t9G8RzSdt9
— Nolan King (@mma_kings) August 21, 2025

Despite this setback, Strickland’s name continues to circle the top of the division. Israel Adesanya has recently floated him as a possible opponent, and Strickland himself insists he’s the only fighter capable of grappling with newly crowned champion Khamzat Chimaev.

Whether the suspension delays his return or not, Strickland remains firmly planted in the conversation, and once cleared, he’s expected to re-emerge with the same fire that has kept him relevant in one of the UFC’s most competitive divisions.

This article first appeared on Athlon Sports and was syndicated with permission.

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