Controversial UFC fighter Sean Strickland has confirmed he has been banned from the UFC Freedom 250 (UFC White House) event.
Known for making various contentious public and political statements about women, gays, Israel and ranting against the mass media’s influence on American society, Strickland wrote on X: “UFC at the white house with BB in the audience. Straight (Israel flag emoji) slop.”
He then went on to say:
“To be fair they did ban me… But when you make fun of the leaders of America they tend to be a little petty lol by leaders i mean Israel.”
Later, Strickland posted a video explaining the fallout of his comments.
“I got the call. UFC higher-ups called me, big names. They said, ‘Sean, I got to apologize, but you’re not Israeli enough to go to UFC 250: Israel edition. The White House didn’t clear you.’ “I’m not really surprised. So, I think moving forward, I would like to just apologize to Israel. I’d like to say I’m sorry, you know?” he said.
Then, he issued a faux apology.
“I’d like to apologize to Trump. I just want to prove that I’m Israeli enough for you guys. For instance, whenever the list disappeared and Trump goes out there and says to everybody that he can’t really go into it because people that, by association, would get prosecuted, and like their names would be tarnished – I want to apologize, because I don’t want them to be prosecuted. Or when Trump goes and bombs the f–k out of Iran, that no Americans agree with, that costs Americans $5-15,000 to go fight Israel’s war – I want to apologize. Sorry, I’ve been a critic of that, you know?” he continued.
He then made more comments about Trump and the Israeli government.
“My allegiance was apparently in the wrong place, and I just want to apologize. Or when Trump goes out there and says, ‘Hey Trump, your approval ratings the lower its ever been across all demographics,’ and Trump says, ‘Well, you know what? I have a 99 percent approval rating in Israel.’ I want to apologize, and I want to repent,” he said.
Sorry Israel. BTW were still gonna go. Ill bring a bull horn. pic.twitter.com/GctCJnr59F
— Sean Strickland (@SStricklandMMA) June 3, 2026
He also insisted he still might go even though he has been banned.
“Apparently, I’m not American enough to go to Freedom 250, but I still got my ticket. So, maybe we’ll just go, I’ll bring the belt, and we’ll just stand outside the gate and we’ll just let ’em know what we really think about Trump and Israel, you know?” he said.
UFC Freedom 25 takes place at the White House on Flag Day in the USA and Donald Trump’s birthday.
