UFC 297 headliner Sean Strickland unleashes X-rated homophobic and anti-trans rant, before telling journalist he is an ‘INFECTION’ and ‘go f*** yourself’ and claiming women’s MMA is ‘like watching little cats fight’

Sean Strickland unleashed a sexist, homophobic and anti-transgender tirade at the pre-UFC 297 media day, rounding on the journalist who asked him the question in a vile attack. 

The middleweight champion, who fights Dricus du Plessis in the main event of UFC 297 in Toronto on Saturday, was asked about a tweet he wrote in 2021. 

The post said: ‘If I had a gay son I would think I failed as a man to create such weakness….. If I had a w**** for a daughter I’d think she just wanted to be like her dad lol!!’

Strickland was being asked about his tweet when he interrupted, asking: ‘Let me ask you, are you a gay man?

The reporter Alex Lee, replied: ‘I am an ally of the community.’

Sean Strickland went on a wild and offensive rant at a journalist in Toronto ahead of UFC 297

Strickland (left) takes on Dricus du Plessis (right) in the main event of UFC 297 

Strickland said: ‘If you had a son and he was gay you wouldn’t want a grandkid?’

Lee said: ‘It wouldn’t be a problem.’

The UFC champion then ranted: ‘Then you’re a weak f*****g man, dude. You’re probably the f*****g problem, you elected Justin Trudeau. He seized the bank accounts, you’re just f*****g pathetic. You have no backbone while he shuts down your country and shuts bank accounts you ask me stupid s**t like that, go f**k yourself, move the f**k on, coward.’

Strickland was later asked about the UFC’s deal with Budweiser, having previously been critical of the partnership following the Dylan Mulvaney controversy. 

He continued: ‘Here’s the thing about Bud Light. Ten years ago to be trans was what, a mental f*****g illness. And now all of a sudden people like you (points at journalist) weaseled your way into the f*****g world. 

‘You are an infection, you are the definition of weakness, everything that is wrong with the f*****g world is because of you. 

‘The best thing is, is that the world’s not buying it. The world’s not buying the bulls*** you’re pedaling. The world is not saying, “you know what, you’re right, chicks have d****”. The world is saying, “there are two genders, I don’t want my kids to be taught about who they can f*** in school. I don’t want my kid taught about their sexual preference.”‘ 

‘This guy is a f*****g enemy, You want to look at the enemy to our world, it’s that motherf***** right there asking these stupid f*****g questions.’

UFC middleweight champion Strickland attacked rival Du Plessis at UFC 296 

‘Sorry, I told the UFC I was going to be nice. Did I cross any lines? You just brought this guy in here to p*** me off!’

He then turned his attention to women’s MMA, with the card this weekend featuring Raquel Pennington vs Mayra Bueno Silva in the co-main event. 

Strickland said: ‘Here’s the thing guys, WNBA, let’s be honest, I’m not going to be offensive when I say this. WNBA vs NBA, who watches what? Who makes more money? 

‘Women’s MMA, sure have women’s MMA, I don’t like to watch it. I don’t think most people like to watch it. If female MMA was to separate from male MMA, nobody wants to watch this s***. Do you want to watch a sports car race or a Honda Civic? 

‘There is a vast difference between men and women. This weak little Canadian next to you could probably beat up Raquel Pennington. Any one of you f**** could probably beat our co-main event. I’m not saying you can’t enjoy it, I’m just don’t want to sit there watching two f*****g little cats fight, I want to see lions fight.’ 

Strickland, who became champion last year with a huge upset against Israel Adesanya, is unlikely to be reprimanded for his comments by the UFC. 

The promotion have a policy of allowing fighters to say whatever they want without reproach. 

Strickland secured one of the biggest upset in the history of the sport against Israel Adesanya 

Strickland is one of the most divisive characters in the UFC and never far from controversy, recently threatening to ‘stab’ Saturday’s opponent Du Plessis if he spoke about Strickland’s childhood trauma and allegations of abuse again. 

Strickland recently opened up in an emotional podcast about his upbringing, saying: ‘I was in probably third or fourth grade, I used to always sleep in my mom’s room because I thought my dad was going to kill my mom. 

‘So I would sleep by the door, I’d sleep under the bed. I’d sleep by the door because I thought my dad was going to kill my mom. 

‘One day, it was so f***** up, they just got in a bad fight, it was like third, fourth grade, my dad was like “f*** that, he’s not sleeping in here tonight, kick him out”, so I like army crawled under the bed, and I’m sleeping under the bed. 

‘I’m like laying under the bed as they’re fighting, because I think my dad was going to kill my mom.

‘My dad gets on top of my mom, and I remember he said, ‘I’m going to f****** kill you tonight.’ Maybe it’s just rough sex, we don’t know at this moment. I’m under the bed, and he starts strangling her.

Strickland has been accused of hypocrisy about commenting on personal matters

He went on: ‘I get out, and the only thing I can see is a guitar, I just f******* crack him in the head and call the cops. I run down the street to call the cops, he’s arrested, and my dumb ass mom bails him out of jail. I would say that’s the tip of the iceberg.’

He fought with Du Plessis in the crowd at UFC 296 after the South African made reference to his trauma, and even previously punched a fan in Australia in the week leading up to his title fight. 

Strickland’s grim offensive tirades are nothing new but as champion there was the opportunity to change direction, one he’s clearly rejected.