Sean Strickland kicked out of UFC Freedom 250 event after claiming ban over anti-Trump remarks
WASHINGTON, DC: MMA champion Sean Strickland’s attempt to attend the UFC Fan Fest at the White House ended abruptly after Secret Service agents escorted him out of the venue.
The two-time UFC Middleweight Champion has found himself thrust into an unusual controversy after claiming that he had been banned from the historic MMA event at the South Lawn, over his comments about President Donald Trump's connections to Jeffrey Epstein and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu.
Sean Strickland’s failed attempt to sneak into UFC Fan Fest
Despite his claims to be banned, Strickland still made his way through a fan festival, seemingly at the nearby Ellipse on Sunday, June 14.
As he filmed himself strolling through the fan festival, Strickland repeatedly told enthusiastic fans not to draw too much attention to him as they reacted to his presence.
However, he was mobbed by fans as he entered a ring in the middle of the park, leading the Secret Service and other law enforcement to escort him out.
Although Strickland was not arrested, he claims he could still face a disorderly conduct charge — a Class B misdemeanor in Washington, DC, that carries a maximum penalty of 90 days in jail, a $500 fine, or both.
“I may have been charged with disorderly conduct. I don’t know what that is but it sounds cool,” Strickland said on Instagram. “Anyways, I just want to thank you fans. I can’t thank you guys enough. After being banned, you guys riding, supporting me, it means a lot to me.”
In a separate post, Strickland shared a photo of him being removed from the event, led away by a slew of security officers working the show.
“Sorry you guys,” Strickland wrote. “We almost made it! Promise one day, we will set up a circle and box. Thanks for your support.”
Sean Strickland says he has been banned from UFC White House event
The incident came just over a week after Strickland claimed that he had allegedly been banned from attending the extravaganza at the White House.
"UFC at the White House with [Netanyahu] in the audience. Straight slope," the 35-year-old said, adding, "To be fair, they did ban me. But when you make fun of the leaders of America, they tend to be a little bit petty. By leaders, I mean Israel."
When a fan had earlier asked for specifics on why he had been excluded from the festivities, Strickland replied: “I made fun of Israel and Epstein.”
Sean Strickland: “UFC at the White House with [Benjamin Netanyahu] in the audience. Straight slop. To be fair, they did ban me. But when you make fun of the leaders of America, they tend to be a little bit petty. By leaders, I mean Israel.”
— The_Real_Fly (@The_Real_Fly) June 4, 2026
“The only male American champ banned at the White House because I said Trump is owned by [Benjamin Netanyahu]. That’s not public opinion, it’s a fact,” he remarked.
However, UFC Presdient and CEO Dana White vehemently denied his claims, stating that Strickland’s attendance would be restricted because "there are only 4,300 tickets."
"Of course Sean Strickland isn't banned [from the event]," said White, who then joked: "Sean Strickland is banned from humanity. We don't want him near any human beings anywhere."
"He shows up at Power Slap and starts fights. He made it very clear he didn't want to be part of this event, and now he's banned, apparently – nobody is banned,” he clarified.
