UFC champion says he was banned from White House event for being anti-‘Israel’
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UFC middleweight champion Sean Strickland alleged that he was barred from attending the promotion’s upcoming “UFC Freedom 250” event scheduled for June 14 at the White House.
The card, set to take place on the South Lawn, is intended to commemorate the 250th anniversary of American independence.
According to Strickland, the exclusion stems from his recent social media commentary criticizing ‘Israel’, ‘Israeli’ Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, and President Donald Trump’s relationship with him.
In Instagram responses and a subsequent video, the fighter stated he was informed by UFC officials that the White House did not grant him clearance.
He sarcastically remarked that he was “not Israeli enough” to attend.
Strickland specifically referenced posts in which he mocked ‘Israel’ and referenced Jeffrey Epstein. He described the event as “UFC at the White House with Netanyahu in the audience. Straight slop,” and claimed to be the only male American UFC champion denied access for expressing these views.
The champion has a history of vocal political opinions. Earlier, he had expressed reluctance to participate in the White House event, citing concerns over associations linked to the Epstein files.
Despite this, he indicated a desire to represent the United States as champion.
Neither the UFC nor the White House has issued an official confirmation of the reported ban.
Reports from MMA outlets such as MMA Fighting and MMA Mania have detailed Strickland’s public statements without independent verification from event organizers.
In response to the alleged exclusion, Strickland released a sarcastic apology video directed at Trump and ‘Israel’ while suggesting he might appear outside the event with his title belt to voice his opinions.
