In an unexpected turn of events, UFC star Sean Strickland declared on Friday that he’s opting out of the White House fight set for next year. The reason? He’s not keen on the controversies lingering from the Trump administration, particularly those involving the late convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein.
Speaking to video streamer Adin Ross and his entourage, Strickland said, “I could see myself doing the White House… if fans were included in some way.” But he made it clear that mingling with individuals connected to Epstein doesn’t sit well with him. “Just hanging out with people on the Epstein list? No thanks, man. I’m all set, dude,” he expressed.
This decision also coincided with the Department of Justice’s recent release of documents revealing images, flight logs, and more regarding Epstein and his high-profile circle. These files were made public after President Trump approved the bipartisan Epstein Files Transparency Act just last month.
With toxic connections under scrutiny, images resurfaced showing Trump alongside Epstein, igniting discussions about the former president’s awareness of Epstein’s alleged sexual exploitation of underage girls. While Trump hasn’t faced any accusations himself, he maintains that he expelled Epstein from Mar-a-Lago when he realized Epstein was trying to ensnare staff members.
Strickland’s sentiments reflect a wider dissatisfaction among fighters regarding the White House event. Fellow UFC competitor Brandon Royval and retired MMA fighter Ronda Rousey have both voiced their reservations about participating.
“Honestly, I couldn’t care less about any political figures right now. Fighting in front of them feels like some theatrical ‘Hunger Games’ scenario,” Royval vented. He expressed distrust towards the wealthy elite attending, stating, “Why would I want to perform for billionaires who likely couldn’t care less about me? They’re probably betting on us, you know?”
Nicknamed “Raw Dawg,” Royval prefers to showcase his skills in front of audiences he feels relate to him.
Making a personal touch, he shared how his looks affect his perception. “I’m too Mexican-looking for comfort, man. [Immigration and Customs Enforcement] (ICE) has been cracking down hard, and I just don’t know what could happen next—they could cart me off to Mexico, and I don’t speak Spanish to get back home,” he joked.
The highly-anticipated cage match is set to go down on June 14, the day marking both Trump’s 80th birthday and the celebration of America’s 250th anniversary.
UFC’s big boss, Dana White, mentioned that the event could be aired on CBS, with various fighters being lined up for participation. In October, Conor McGregor confirmed he would take part in the match.
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