Neo-Nazi past, homophobia and dream of killing an opponent in the Octagon: remember Strickland's controversies

S. Strickland (left) is undefeated since joining the UFC middleweight division. Photo: Reproduction/Instagram

In more than 20 years of Ultimate, MMA fans have come across controversial figures who 'shock' through acidic statements and provocations towards their opponents. Conor McGregor e Colby covington These are two of those who, today, stand out in the field of promotions. One athlete, however, has increased his popularity, but perhaps not in a positive way. Star of UFC Las Vegas 47, Sean Strickland is a name to watch out for, as it 'breaks away' from what is permitted and collects controversial statements.

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Opponent of Jack hermansson this Saturday (5), the North American collects controversies outside the Octagon. From a neo-Nazi past, homophobic statements and even a public dream of killing an opponent during a fight, remember some shocking stories revealed by the middleweight himself (up to 83,9kg).

Neo-Nazi past

In a prominent position in the middleweight rankings, Strickland surprised, a few months ago, when talking about his neo-Nazi past. Influenced by his grandfather, the fighter opened up about the period in which he was involved in criminal ideology.

“A tough childhood. They all had a complicated childhood. I met people in my life who made my childhood feel like Disneyland. For me, I was simply nervous. He was so furious that he had these strange neo-Nazi thoughts. The phase of white supremacy. I had so much hate, so much influence in my life and it felt good to hate something. I walked down the street with a knife or a rock, hoping I could kill someone,” he said in an interview with 'MMA fighting'.

Focusing on the issue of neo-Nazi ideology, Strickland made a point of stating that everything happened because he wanted to model himself on his grandfather. The fighter then followed the report.

“My grandfather was a piece of shit. When you're a child, you don't see that. My grandfather was between 1,80 and 2 meters tall. He fills your head with crazy things. You are in seventh grade and are 'fed' with Nazi ideas. You don't understand, you don't even know what it means. You hear something coming from your hero, because he was a great figure, which my father wasn't, and that identity consumed me. I drew swastikas on my arm and walked around school like that, without knowing what that was,” he said.

family drama

In addition to problems with his grandfather, Strickland also had his psychological problems with his parents. Without hiding the story, the UFC middleweight opened up about a dramatic episode.

“There were a lot of psychological problems. My father was crazy. Let's say you have something you love, a toy or something. He would come home drunk, maybe thinking my mother had cheated on him, and he would just break the toy,” she said.

Starting from the report, Sean followed. The athlete remembers a remarkable case and decides to share it with the public.

“I remember that I slept a lot in my mother's room, because I believed that he (the father) would kill her. I thought I would wake up one day and she would be dead. One time, I hid under their bed and he (my father) was on top of my mother. Maybe it was just 'wild sex'. Who knows? He got on top and started to strangle her, saying: 'today you are going to die'. I think I was in third grade, I was young. The only thing I saw was a guitar, so I picked it up and smashed it over his head as hard as I could. I grabbed the phone, ran away and called the police. My mother, the idiot, got him out of jail the other day,” he explained.

Homophobic statement

After a troubled childhood, with traumas and controversies, Strickland managed to reach the top of MMA. The great moment within the organization, however, did not prevent the athlete from collecting statements considered, why not, offensive.

In December 2021, after a winning season, Sean caused it again. In a homophobic speech, the athlete suggested that he would have failed as a father if he had a gay son.

“If I had a gay son, I would think I failed as a man to create such weakness. If I had a prostitute as a daughter, I would think she just wanted to be like her father”, said the American, at the time, on his Twitter account. Not satisfied, Strickland added. “Gays are great. I support them in their choices. Freedom. Gays do this. Most gay men I know are always happy. They all stay friends all day and have sex. We heterosexual men are f***ed up because we have to do some serious work to get laid. It’s not fair,” he concluded.

Retraction attempt

Close to his main UFC fight so far, Sean returned to the topic this week. In conversation with the press at the 'media day', promotional for the UFC Las Vegas 47, the athlete tried to 'get around' the controversial speech, but it doesn't seem to have worked.

“At the end of the day, when I joke about gays, I love gay men. They are amazing. Lesbians, not so much. They hate me. They look at me and see the guy who hurt them. I'm not that guy, I'm not their father. Gay men look at me and want to fuck me. I respect this. They greet me. I get p**sy photos all the time. I’m not homophobic,” he assured.

Desire to kill

One of the 'high points' in Strickland's statements came midway through last season. Ascendant in the middleweight division, Sean was once again in the news when he stated that his dream, as an MMA fighter, was to kill an opponent while doing his job.

“If you like hurting people, you’re in the right sport. I would love to kill someone in the ring. Nothing beyond that. I would be very happy. (…) I would have to apologize to the police later. Being a psychopath is fun,” said Strickland, still in the octagon, after the UFC Las Vegas 33, when he defeated Uriah Hall.

Athlete's history

Professional in MMA since March 2008, Sean Strickland lives his best moment within the UFC. In a great phase in the middleweight division, the fighter currently has 27 appearances in the sport, with 24 wins and three losses.

Current number seven in the ranking led by Israel adesanya, the North American could get closer to the top 5, if he overcomes Jack hermansson No. UFC Las Vegas 47. Former representative of the welterweight division (up to 77kg), the fighter doesn't know what it's like to lose since moving to the 83,9kg division.