Sean Strickland, the UFC middleweight champion, claims he was arrested after sneaking into UFC Fan Fest at the White House for UFC Freedom 250. However, he was not actually arrested, as the US Secret Service and police simply escorted him off the premises.
What happened?
Strickland claimed on his Instagram story that he is now facing misdemeanor charges of disorderly conduct. He addressed his fans through his Instagram story, stating he doesn't know what disorderly conduct is but it sounds cool.
Strickland previously claimed to be banned from the UFC Freedom 250 event by White House officials for his comments on President Donald Trump and his connections to Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu.
Why did Strickland sneak in?
Contrary to Strickland's claims, UFC President and CEO Dana White said Strickland is not banned from UFC Freedom 250, but rather, was simply not invited. White stated, "Nobody is banned. Nothing is banned," during a media day press conference for UFC Freedom 250.
Strickland showed up to the UFC pre-fight festivities, meeting up with fans on Saturday night before the UFC Freedom 250 event. He leg kicked his fans per their request and took pictures.
Aftermath
While Strickland claims he now faces misdemeanor charges, it remains unclear whether Dana White and the UFC will impose any disciplinary action. Strickland was suspended by an athletic commission last year after getting involved in a brawl during a regional MMA event.
This latest incident in Washington, D.C., however, is far less violent and serious, with Strickland constantly smiling and having a joking demeanor throughout the antics. On June 15, 2026, Strickland's actions sparked a commotion, and he was escorted off the premises by law enforcement.
The UFC has not commented on the incident, and it is unclear what actions will be taken against Strickland. Strickland's fans have been supportive of him, and he thanked them through his Instagram story, stating their support means a lot to him.