UFC CEO Dana White believes the media plays a big role in making Sean Strickland a PR “nightmare.”
Strickland has been known to be outspoken and UFC’s message has been about free speech over the last few years. Still, White isn’t happy with some of the extremes Strickland will reach in some of his quotes. While White doesn’t want to filter his fighters, he is taking media members to task over Strickland’s latest rants.
During the UFC Houston post-fight press conference, White blamed reporters for Strickland’s comments on Bad Bunny being chosen to perform at the Super Bowl LX halftime show.
“It’s a nightmare, but you guys don’t help,” White said. “Asking him dumb [expletive]. Ask dumb [expletive], you’re gonna get dumb [expletive]. ‘Oh, what did you think of Bad Bunny? What did you think of the Super Bowl?’ Get the [expletive] out of here. You [expletive] kidding me? When you talk about what Strickland says, you guys like to push the buttons.”
Pre-fight shenanigans aside, Strickland turned in a brilliant performance at the conclusion of UFC Houston. His striking and pressure were too much for Anthony Hernandez to handle. A knee to the body was the beginning of the end for “Fluffy.” Strickland had Hernandez in trouble before finishing the fight with a barrage of punches for the TKO win in the third round.
Strickland is now turning his attention to Khamzat Chimaev, who is the reigning UFC Middleweight Champion. While some believed Nassourdine Imavov was the likely No. 1 contender, others are wondering if Strickland has surpassed him after his UFC Houston showing.
Chimaev was called out by Strickland at the end of this past Saturday’s event, and it’s likely the most lucrative 185-pound fight UFC can book at the moment.
What do you make of Dana White blaming media members for some of Sean Strickland’s quotes? Let your voice be heard in the comment section below.