WASHINGTON — Despite being unwelcome, Sean Strickland decided to make an appearance at the UFC event near the White House, only to be swiftly escorted out by the Secret Service.
The UFC middleweight titleholder arrived at The Ellipse Fan Fest on Sunday evening, joining thousands of enthusiastic fans. With what looked like a beer in hand, he unexpectedly leaped into a ring.
In a surprising move, Strickland started guzzling the beer, leaving fans around him stunned and eager to catch a glimpse of his bold antics.
His impromptu appearance was short-lived, as security promptly intervened and removed him from the scene.
Later, Strickland shared a photo on social media, showcasing himself being escorted barefoot by about a dozen security personnel, all while sporting a broad grin.
“Best fans in the world,” Strickland said in the post.
Strickland added afterwards from what appeared to be his hotel room that he “may have been charged with disorderly conduct.”
UFC President Dana White had said earlier in the week that Strickland wasn’t banned from the event, but rather he is “not invited.”
“I just want to prove that I’m Israeli enough for you guys,” Strickland added.
Strickland has been a bit inconsistent in his thoughts on the card, however, at one point he said he didn’t want to attend the card at all.
“Just to go hang out with the f–king Epstein list? I’m good dog,” Strickland said before crashing the party.
“Sean Strickland is banned from humanity, OK?” White said this week.
The UFC’s White House event was briefly delayed due to rain but the event has gone on without a hitch in the early going.
Strickland does not have a fight scheduled currently, but he is coming off a shocking defeat of Khamzat Chimaev for the middleweight title.