In the lead-up to his February 21 main event fight against Anthony Hernandez, Sean Strickland ignited intense reactions with a controversial post on social media. The former UFC middleweight champion shared an altered image showing himself in an Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) uniform, while depicting Hernandez dressed in traditional Mexican attire, sparking debates among MMA fans. Strickland captioned the post,
“If you cant laugh at this, you’re a c*nt. Go away,”
which further fueled the controversy.
The post divided fans sharply; some viewed it as offensive and inappropriate humor, while others defended it as typical of Strickland’s provocative style. One critic bluntly stated, “Yeah, it’s not funny.” Conversely, supporters of the post responded with mixed emotions. One fan wrote,
“A woman got shot in her eye nuts and you think this is funny?!?! ICE is separating a*s from cheeks and you think this is a laughing matter?”
while another simply said, “That is funny.” Additional reactions included comments like,
“I mean, it’s not funny. I do have a dark sense of humor though,”
and warnings such as,
“You are walking into a brutal night,”
and
“You better not lose, because if you do…”
Upcoming Bout: Stakes High for Both Fighters at Toyota Center
Strickland, currently ranked third in the middleweight division, is aiming to regain standing after his loss of the title to Dricus du Plessis last year. His opponent, Anthony Hernandez, sits just one spot below at fourth in the rankings and boasts an eight-fight winning streak, positioning himself as a strong contender for a future title shot. Their five-round clash is set to take place at Houston’s Toyota Center, a match carrying significant implications for both athletes’ careers.
Anthony Hernandez Discusses UFC’s Verification of His Mexican Heritage
Ahead of the fight, Anthony Hernandez revealed that the UFC requested proof of his Mexican heritage after he sought approval to represent Mexico during fight week. Hernandez recounted how he had to quickly provide documentation tracing back to his grandparents and parents to confirm his eligibility. Speaking on The Ariel Helwani Show, Hernandez explained:
“Dude, I don’t get special treatment. That’s why I’m on a fuc*ing eight-fight win streak. There’s no special treatment here. I have to go earn everything, unfortunately… I had to like jump through some hoops real quick, and had to find my fuc*ing grandparents’ birth certificates and show that they’re from Mexico and that I can represent… Man, it’s where my blood’s from. My dad’s from there, my mom’s family is from there, that’s my heritage. Yes, I’m American. Yes, I’ve been here, but everything we’ve had and sh*t, we’ve had to earn.”
Hernandez’s comments highlight the effort behind asserting cultural identity in professional sports and the scrutiny fighters may face when embracing their backgrounds. His pride in his heritage and acknowledgment of earned success underscore the personal stakes in this fight.
Potential Impact of the Fight Amid Tense Public Discourse
The visible tension surrounding Sean Strickland’s ICE post reflects deeper cultural and political undercurrents influencing fan reactions and public perception of athletes. With both fighters positioned near the top of the middleweight division, their bout not only represents a key moment for championship contention but also symbolizes broader themes of identity and provocation within the MMA community. How audiences respond and how each fighter performs in Houston could shape narratives around respect, heritage, and rivalry moving forward.
If you cant laugh at this you're a cunt. Go away. pic.twitter.com/JsopZ9tb5z
— Sean Strickland (@SStricklandMMA) January 15, 2026
