On January 15, UFC middleweight Sean Strickland ignited backlash after posting an edited image portraying himself as an ICE agent, facing his upcoming opponent Anthony Hernandez dressed in stereotypical Mexican attire. The fight poster, shared on Instagram without explanation, was accompanied by a provocative message on X:
If you cant laugh at this you’re a c**t. Go away.
This has sparked heated debates amid the ongoing Sean Strickland ICE controversy.
Background on Incident and Related Comments
This post came shortly after Strickland commented on the January 8 fatal shooting of Renee Nicole Good, a 37-year-old Minneapolis mother of three killed by an ICE agent. Strickland said the shooting, while legally justified, was not morally right and stated he personally would not have shot the woman, opting to move away instead. The timing of the photoshopped image, following this sensitive event and increased ICE enforcement, heightened public reaction.
Mixed Reactions from Fans and Social Media
Reactions among fans were sharply divided. Some criticized Strickland for insensitivity, with one user on X urging him to
put your ego aside & be considerate of others,
while another called the post an embarrassing pile of sh*t. Others were equally vocal in defense, acknowledging the dark humor aspect. One commenter 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?
However, a contrasting view stated,
I mean, it’s not funny. I do have a dark sense of humor though
. The post drew over 2,000 comments within hours, with many referencing Strickland’s history of provocative behavior.
Fight Week Controversies and Opponent’s Background
The controversy deepened when Hernandez revealed UFC officials questioned his eligibility to represent Mexico during fight week, requesting proof of his grandparents’ birth certificates to approve Mexican-themed gear. Scheduled to fight on February 21 at Houston’s Toyota Center, Strickland and Hernandez will headline UFC Fight Night in a critical five-round contest that acts as a middleweight title eliminator.
Hernandez, nicknamed Fluffy, is on an eight-fight winning streak, having recently defeated Edmen Shahbazyan, Brendan Allen, and Roman Dolidze. The 32-year-old was originally set to face Reinier de Ridder in October but withdrew due to injury. Meanwhile, Strickland is returning after a suspension imposed by the Nevada Athletic Commission for an incident where he entered a cage during a regional event in Las Vegas attempting to confront another fighter. He lost the middleweight title to Dricus du Plessis in 2025 and fell again in their UFC 312 rematch.
A History of Provocative Statements and Public Backlash
Strickland’s recent post adds to a series of controversial remarks that have outraged women’s rights advocates, LGBTQ+ groups, and media globally. Prior to UFC 297 in Toronto, he attacked reporter Alexander K. Lee following questions about a prior tweet, calling Lee a weak f***ing man, an infection, and blaming
people like you
and LGBTQ+ supporters for
everything that is wrong with the world
. After defeating Abus Magomedov in 2023, he made misogynistic comments suggesting society should
put women back in the kitchen
to allow men to earn a single household income.
This pattern of offensive comments also extends to other issues. During the UFC 312 press tour, Strickland criticized Australian gun laws and referred to Australians as English white trash. UFC president Dana White has publicly supported fighters’ free speech rights, stating the organization does not penalize athletes for outspoken or controversial remarks.
Implications of the Controversy for UFC and Public Perception
Sean Strickland’s latest actions and comments continue to fuel a heated debate on the limits of free speech within mixed martial arts and the UFC community. His outspoken nature may further polarize fans and advocates, affecting public perception of the sport. The upcoming fight with Anthony Hernandez, an important title eliminator, now carries additional scrutiny due to the surrounding controversies and cultural sensitivities. How the UFC addresses this and whether Strickland’s behavior influences his career trajectory or UFC policies remains to be seen.
