Strickland Rips Gaethje's Trump Support After Convention

Sean Strickland has taken aim at Justin Gaethje over the lightweight champion's public backing of Donald Trump at this week's Republican midterm convention in Dallas.

Gaethje appeared onstage at the GOP event to rally supporters ahead of the November elections, urging them not to grow complacent following the 2024 presidential win. According to Sherdog, the UFC titleholder encouraged voters to turn out despite the party controlling the White House.

Strickland Questions MAGA Loyalty Despite Policy Record

Strickland, who once championed Trump himself, has reversed course in recent months and now counts among the administration's critics. The middleweight champion posted on X that he cannot understand Gaethje's continued allegiance given what he views as broken campaign pledges on border enforcement, foreign conflicts, inflation, and federal budgets.

"I dont get how Justin Goythje is still MAGA Trumps promises vs record," Strickland wrote, listing border security as only partly delivered and marking new wars, cost of living, and government spending as outright failures. He also mocked the Republican promise of a five-thousand-dollar payment to adult citizens if the party holds Congress, calling it debt funded by future generations.

Gaethje has not yet responded publicly to Strickland's post. The lightweight champion defends his belt later this year against a challenger yet to be announced by the promotion.

Reported via:

• Sherdog — Sean Strickland rips Justin Gaethje's continued Trump support