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UFC Freedom 250: Sean Strickland removed from fan event by Secret Service? What we know as allegations surface
Sean Strickland allegedly attended a UFC Fan Fest despite a ban and was later escorted out by Secret Service.
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Sean Strickland was removed from a UFC Freedom 250 fan event in Washington, D.C., on Sunday after showing up despite claiming he had been barred from attending activities connected to the White House card. The former UFC middleweight champion was escorted away by Secret Service agents and other law enforcement officers after entering the Fan Fest area at the Ellipse, per MMA Fighting.
His appearance came days after he publicly said he was not cleared to attend because of comments he made about President Donald Trump, Israel, and the Jeffrey Epstein case.
Sean Strickland removed from UFC Fan Fest
Sean Strickland had already claimed on social media that he was banned from attending UFC Freedom 250 events. Earlier this month, he wrote on Instagram that the planned White House show was “straight slop” and suggested he was being kept away because of his criticism of Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and President Donald Trump.
On Sunday, Strickland still appeared at the Fan Fest near the White House. According to reports, many fans immediately reacted with boos as he stood near the ring area. Soon after, Secret Service agents and other officers surrounded him and escorted him out while parts of the crowd chanted “USA.”
The incident happened a little more than a week after Strickland publicly alleged that he had been banned from attending the historic UFC event. At the time, neither UFC officials nor White House officials publicly confirmed his claim.
Also Read: What time is the UFC fight on the White House lawn? UFC Freedom 250 schedule and how to watch live
Fighter blames Trump, Israel criticism for ban
In several social media posts and videos, Sean Strickland repeatedly said his comments about Israel, Benjamin Netanyahu and the Jeffrey Epstein files were the reason he was not welcome at the event.
“I made fun of Israel and Epstein,” Strickland said when discussing why he believed he had been banned. He also claimed UFC staff informed him that the White House had not approved his attendance.
The outspoken fighter has recently criticized President Donald Trump over issues including the release of documents connected to Jeffrey Epstein and U.S. policy toward Iran. In another social media exchange, he wrote that Trump had gone from “MAGA” to “Make Israel great real fast.”
Also Read: Who is paying for the UFC 250 White House event and how much does it cost?
Strickland was never expected to fight at UFC Freedom 250. The former champion is coming off a split-decision win over Khamzat Chimaev at UFC 328, while the White House event is set to be headlined by Ilia Topuria and Justin Gaethje.
