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Sean Strickland banned from fighting in UFC until new suspension is lifted for cage attack

Originally posted on Bloody Elbow
By Christopher De Santiago | Last updated Jul 18, 2025 8:13 PM ET

Sean Strickland won’t be fighting in the Octagon anytime soon.

The former UFC Middleweight Champion is one of the most controversial fighters on the UFC roster. Last month, Strickland made headlines not for what he said but what he did at Tuff-N-Uff 145.

Strickland and fellow UFC veteran Chris Curtis were cornering their teammate Miles Hunsinger in their fight against Luis Hernandez, talking to his undefeated opponent mid-fight.

Hernandez mocked Strickland and Curtis in his post-fight celebration after submitting Hunsinger. Strickland and Curtis wouldn’t have any of it and rushed Hernandez in the cage afterwards, with Strickland throwing a punch.

Hernandez did not press charges and didn’t want any punishment for the fighters despite the attack. However, it looks like the Nevada commission has other plans.

Photo by Louis Grasse/Getty Images

Sean Strickland gets temporary suspension for punching Luis Hernandez after his MMA fight

According to a report from MMA Fighting, Strickland has received a temporary suspension from the Nevada Athletic Commission for barging into the cage and swinging at Hernandez at Tuff-N-Uff 145.

The suspension is expected to be extended at the next commission hearing on Wednesday.

While the suspension is active, Strickland won’t be able to fight in the UFC.

Strickland’s full punishment will be revealed at a later date. As controversial as the American is, this is actually Strickland’s first disciplinary suspension of his UFC career.

Luis Hernandez stays undefeated with a Round 2 guillotine choke submission over Miles Hunsinger at #TNU145!
The Miami prospect made a statement — both in the cage and on the mic, calling out Sean Strickland post-fight #MMA | #FutureStarsOfMMA | #UFCFightPass pic.twitter.com/onhk1U5N9b
— Tuff-N-Uff MMA (@tuffnuff) June 29, 2025

Israel Adesanya rematch could be off the table for Sean Strickland

Strickland was already in a weird place in his career before he was suspended by the Nevada commission.

‘Tarzan’ has two losses to the current champion Dricus du Plessis, who beat him handily in their rematch at UFC 312 in February.

In the time removed, Strickland’s former foe Israel Adesanya has expressed much interest in rematching Strickland. It was Strickland who ended Adesanya’s last title reign at middleweight in 2023.

However, between this suspension and Adesanya suggesting he might move on from the matchup at International Fight Week, Strickland vs. Adesanya might not be the fight to make at middleweight after all.

This article first appeared on Bloody Elbow and was syndicated with permission.

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