Sean Strickland escorted away from UFC White House Fan Fest by security
UFC champ Sean Strickland was seen being escorted away from the UFC Fan Fest at the White House by US Secret Service and other law enforcement officers amid claims he was 'banned' from the event.
UFC Freedom 250 got underway tonight, after being delayed due to bad weather.
In the run-up to the event, Strickland had told fans that he was the ‘only male American champ banned’ from the event.
However, UFC boss Dana White soon shut down the claims, saying that ‘of course’ Strickland wasn’t banned, he just hadn’t been invited.
Advert
“He made it very clear he didn’t want to be a part of this event and now apparently he’s banned,” White said.
“Nobody is banned. Nobody’s music is banned. No media members have been banned. The list goes on and on.”
Today, just ahead of the event kicking off, Strickland filmed himself walking through a fan festival zone, which appeared to be at the Ellipse, where he could be seen telling fans not to make too much noise.
However, in an update post Strickland shared a shot of himself being escorted by a sizeable security team.
“Sorry you guys,” Strickland wrote. “We almost made it! Promise one day, we will set up a circle and box. Thank for your support.”
In a post to his Instagram Stories, the UFC star filmed himself in what appeared to be a high-security vehicle, and told fans: “I’m pretty sure I didn’t break a law, like I’m pretty sure. But we might be going to jail, but I’m pretty sure we didn’t break no laws.”
But in an additional update, he revealed: “I may have been charged with disorderly conduct. I don’t know what that is but it sounds cool.
“Anyways, I just want to thank you fans. I can’t thank you guys enough. After being banned, you guys riding, supporting me, it means a lot to me.”
If he has been hit with a disorderly charge, he could be facing up to 90 days in jail and up to a $500 fine or both.
Thousands of MMA fans have descended on DC for tonight’s event, which Trump claimed will be the ‘biggest’ UFC has had with an ‘arena right outside the front door of the White House’.
The spectacle will feature two title bouts: a lightweight championship fight between Ilia Topuria and Justin Gaethje and an interim heavyweight heavyweight match between Alex Pereira and Ciryl Gane.
Topics: UFC
Claire Reid