TLDR
- Sean Strickland claims he’s been banned from the UFC Freedom 250 event at the White House on June 14
- The middleweight champion says the ban stems from his criticism of President Trump and Israel
- Strickland opposes Trump’s war in Iran and blames Israel for U.S. involvement in the conflict
- He plans to protest peacefully outside the White House with his championship belt and a bullhorn
- The UFC has not officially confirmed or denied Strickland’s claims about being banned from the event
Sources: sports.yahoo.com | mmafighting.com
UFC middleweight champion Sean Strickland says he has been banned from attending the UFC Freedom 250 event at the White House on June 14. He claims the ban comes after he criticized President Donald Trump and his relationship with Israel.
Strickland announced on social media that he plans to protest outside the event anyway. He said he already bought his plane ticket and will bring his championship belt and a bullhorn to the gates of the White House.
“Apparently, I’m not American enough to go to Freedom 250,” Strickland wrote in social media posts. “But I’ve still got my ticket. BTW we’re still gonna go. I’ll bring a bullhorn.”
Sorry Israel. BTW were still gonna go. Ill bring a bull horn. pic.twitter.com/GctCJnr59F
— Sean Strickland (@SStricklandMMA) June 3, 2026
Champion Opposes War in Iran
The outspoken fighter explained his opposition to Trump’s war in Iran as the reason for his public criticism. Strickland has blamed Israel for dragging the United States into the conflict.
“The only male American champ banned at the White House because I said Trump is owned by [Benjamin Netanyahu],” Strickland wrote. “That’s not public opinion, it’s fact.”
When asked what specifically got him banned, Strickland said he “made fun of Israel and [Jeffrey] Epstein.” He also mentioned that Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu will be in attendance at the event.
The UFC has not officially responded to Strickland’s claims about being banned. UFC officials have said that only a limited number of seats are available for the event, with no public ticket sales and fans not allowed to attend.
Peaceful Protest Planned for Trump’s Birthday
The UFC Freedom 250 event is scheduled for President Trump’s birthday. Strickland made clear that his planned protest will be peaceful and not threatening.
“I’m gonna bring the belt, I’m gonna get a big f–king bull horn and we’re gonna go right up to the gates,” he said in a video. “So, if you guys are going to be there, let’s f–king go. Not in a threatening way, we’re gonna do a peaceful protest.”
Strickland is one of the few American champions currently in the UFC. He won the middleweight title with a split-decision victory over Khamzat Chimaev at UFC 328 on May 9, 2026 in Newark, New Jersey.
The fighter said he originally supported Trump’s re-election in 2024. However, he has become vocal in his opposition to the current administration’s policies regarding the conflict in Iran.
Strickland wrote on Instagram that the event features “UFC at the White House with [Benjamin Netanyahu] in the audience. Straight slop.” He added that Trump and his administration are “a little bit petty” when people make fun of America’s leaders.
The Freedom 250 committee has reportedly faced multiple issues in planning the White House event. The event is expected to be one of the biggest UFC cards of the year despite the controversies surrounding it.
Strickland invited others who plan to be in Washington, D.C. on June 14 to join his protest outside the White House gates. He emphasized multiple times that he will bring his championship belt to the demonstration.
