Sean Strickland, a former UFC Middleweight Champion, is facing a significant layoff, but he's surprisingly embracing the downtime, even calling his suspension 'dope'! This unexpected sentiment stems from a controversial incident where Strickland entered the cage at a regional MMA event and threw a punch at a fighter. While this action led to a suspension and a hefty fine, Strickland claims it allowed him to heal from nagging injuries.
But here's where it gets truly interesting: Strickland wasn't just any spectator; he was cornering a teammate at the Tuff-N-Uff event in Las Vegas. When his teammate, Miles Hunsinger, was submitted by opponent Luis Hernandez, Hernandez proceeded to taunt Hunsinger's corner with what Strickland described as disrespectful 'crotch chops.'
Strickland insists his reaction had nothing to do with his teammate losing, but rather with the perceived disrespect directed at him. He stated, 'It had nothing to do with my boy losing... It was the disrespect you gave to me, dog.' He even added a layer of complexity by mentioning his pro-ICE and pro-cop stance, questioning why Hernandez would provoke him.
And this is the part most people miss: The fighter Strickland punched, Luis Hernandez, was revealed to be a police officer. Strickland found this revelation to be a silver lining, humorously noting, 'I don’t get to hit cops often and not go to jail too, which is nice.' This unexpected turn of events, he claims, made the six-month suspension, which was later finalized at $5,000 and six months by the Nevada State Athletic Commission, a rather 'dope' experience.
This period of rest couldn't have come at a better time, as it's widely believed Strickland was already competing with a significant shoulder injury during his last title challenge against Dricus du Plessis. Now, with his return to the octagon on the horizon for UFC Houston, where he's set to face the formidable Anthony Hernandez, Strickland will need to be in peak condition. Hernandez, in fact, has vowed to 'f--king torture' Strickland, seemingly in response to Strickland's 'pro-ICE' comments.
What are your thoughts on Strickland's unconventional perspective on his suspension? Do you believe his actions were justified by the opponent's behavior, or was it an unacceptable display of aggression? Let us know in the comments below – we'd love to hear your take!
