Sean Strickland on UFC White House snub: I'd ban me too

Sean Strickland says he understands why he won't be at the UFC Freedom 250 card at the White House on June 14.

The UFC middleweight champion told fans on social media he was not cleared for the event after initially being told otherwise, per a post first reported by Sherdog. Strickland wrote that UFC executive Hunter Campbell promised him an invitation after his last fight, captured on embedded footage, but that the promotion later called to say the White House had not cleared him. Rumors circulated that Strickland's recent comments criticizing Israel and Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu triggered the decision.

Dana White denies UFC Freedom 250 ban claims

UFC CEO Dana White pushed back on reports that anyone had been banned from the card, telling media that space constraints at the 4,300-seat venue drove the guest list, according to Sherdog. White also noted Strickland had already made clear his disdain for the event. "Sean Strickland is banned from humanity," White said. "We don't want him near any human beings, anywhere… He made it very clear that he didn't want to be a part of this event."

Strickland posted that he holds no hard feelings about missing the card. "I'm not even salty they didn't clear me," he wrote. "Could you picture me sitting with Kash Patel? F*ck man, I'd ban me from the White House too."

The reigning middleweight champion has been outspoken in his criticism of U.S. involvement in the Israel-Palestine conflict. No makeup date for a White House appearance has been discussed.

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• Sherdog — Sean Strickland reacts to UFC White House snub: I’d ban me too