Sean Strickland slammed over behaviour as young fan asked for photo
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Sean Strickland has once again found himself at the centre of controversy.
The former UFC middleweight champion is widely regarded as one of the most divisive figures in MMA.
His outspoken views on politics, immigration and social issues have repeatedly drawn criticism. That reputation has followed him into fan interactions, where his behaviour often sparks strong reactions.
A recent viral moment has only added to that perception. This time, it involved an interaction with a young fan that quickly spread across social media.
Sean Strickland criticised after video with young fan sparks backlash
Footage circulating online shows Strickland posing for a picture with a young girl. During the interaction, he repeatedly gestures for her to raise her middle finger towards the camera.
The girl remains composed and does not follow his lead. Instead, she stands still for a normal photo, prompting Strickland to eventually drop the idea and pose with his hand in his pocket.
The clip quickly triggered backlash from fans online. Many questioned his behaviour, particularly given the age of the fan involved in the interaction.
Reactions on X reflected that concern.
One MMA fan wrote: “That was weird, the little kid felt confused and embarrassed.”
“That girl had a good head on her shoulders for not letting him influence her,” added another one
“He’s so stupid man,” echoed a third person.
A final fan questioned: “Dude what’s wrong with him, even worse he persisted it! Kudos to the little girl to sticking to herself.”
Previous incident involving Anthony Hernandez’s daughter adds context
This is not the first time Strickland’s behaviour around children has been questioned. A recent incident involving Anthony Hernandez’s daughter raised similar concerns.
During UFC Houston fight week, the former middleweight champion made controversial remarks on stage that upset Hernandez’s young daughter in attendance. The situation led to an emotional reaction from the family.
After the fight, Strickland acknowledged the impact of his words. The 35-year-old admitted fault and apologised directly, stating that he felt bad for how the situation affected her.
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