Sean Strickland removed from UFC Freedom 250 fan fest

UFC middleweight champion Sean Strickland was escorted from the Freedom 250 fan festival Sunday evening by federal authorities after a crowd surge created safety concerns on The Ellipse in Washington.

The U.S. Park Police told ESPN that Strickland's unannounced arrival around 7 p.m. drew a rush of fans, prompting officers and U.S. Marshals to evacuate him from the venue two hours before the main card began. Strickland, who spent fight week attending events despite not being on the card, was transported back to his hotel without incident.

Strickland not cited, advised to stay away

"The unplanned presence of Sean Strickland drew significant attention from attendees, resulting in disorder," the Park Police Public Information Office wrote in a statement to ESPN. "Due to concerns for Strickland's safety and the safety of event patrons, personnel from the U.S. Marshals Service, U.S. Park Police, and other assisting agencies evacuated him safely from the area."

Strickland posted an Instagram story claiming he might face a disorderly conduct citation, but authorities confirmed he was neither cited nor arrested. He was advised not to return to the festival for his own safety and that of other attendees.

Jaclyn Cruz, a Nashville fan who spotted Strickland and filmed video before his removal, told ESPN she watched security escort the champion out. "After I saw that, I was shaking," Cruz said. "It was like, 'Oh my God, I'm living like a fever dream right now.'"

Strickland thanked fans for their support during the week in his social media post. The middleweight champion has no scheduled bout announced for his next title defense.

Source: espn.com