UFC Middleweight Champion Sean Strickland has sparked controversy and condemnation following a series of anti-LGBTQ comments. Strickland's remarks came after a reporter questioned him about his views on the LGBTQ+ community. His response included a tirade against the reporter and a broader attack on journalists for attempting to normalize transgenderism. Michael Ryan Ruiz of the Dan Le Batard Show reacted strongly, challenging ESPN to make a public statement and calling the situation 'revolting.' Strickland also doubled down on his comments, criticizing the 'Chinese checkmark of Nike' and defending his stance on free speech, which led to a fan storming the stage to shake his hand. Some media outlets have described ESPN's response to Strickland's anti-trans rant as weak, while others, including Clay Travis of Outkick, have highlighted the severity of Strickland's comments, calling them 'vile' and 'revolting.'
ESPN's response to Sean Strickland's vile anti-LGBTQ attack is disgracefully weak | Opinion (via @mikefreemanNFL) #UFC297 https://t.co/V370Tf5hm0
NEW Sean Strickland interview just dropped! Buckle up boys… it’s a wild one LOL @SStricklandMMA https://t.co/3cSge7Xso7 https://t.co/79DpnPwyrj
UFC's Sean Strickland made a vile anti-LGBTQ attack. ESPN's response is disgracefully weak https://t.co/jrNccHZvT0 via @usatoday
UFC's Sean Strickland made a vile anti-LGBTQ attack. ESPN's response is disgracefully weak https://t.co/FISGGyobJb
ESPN's response to Sean Strickland's homophobic attack is totally lame https://t.co/WrT7n1efUf
‘You’re a weak f***ing man’: UFC champ torches Canadian reporter, Trudeau in WILD rant after LGBTQ question UFC champ Sean Strickland went off on a reporter in a recent press conference after being asked about past comments he’d made about the LGBTQ community. Before the wild… https://t.co/IqOcC82xXs
I hope this Sean Strickland interview doesn’t get us cancelled LOL. Can’t wait to post this tomorrow! Subscribe to my YT channel: https://t.co/xUfIj7GBvo https://t.co/d9aCzRUtyr
⬇️⬇️⬇️ ESPN Challenged to Speak Out After UFC Star Sean Strickland’s Anti-Trans Rant: ‘It’s Never Been This Vile’ https://t.co/gmsOkfKHfr
Dan Le Batard Show cast condemns ESPN for silence on Sean Strickland’s anti-LGBTQ+ rant https://t.co/T9pKUFCIt8 https://t.co/0Mw7wxcFZc
JUST IN: UFC champ Sean Strickland doubles down after getting into a spat with a Canadian journalist, blasts the "Chinese checkmark of Nike" and says he will fight for free speech. 🔥🔥🔥 One fan even stormed the stage to shake his hand. "I care about you guys having freedom… https://t.co/hmoAYCItsS
ESPN Challenged to Speak Out After UFC Star Sean Strickland's Anti-Trans Rant: 'It's Never Been This Vile' | Video: https://t.co/gmsOkfLf4Z
Sean Strickland let a woke reporter have it for asking him a few loaded questions. @ClayTravis https://t.co/92l4uFBdBn
UFC champ Sean Strickland mercilessly eviscerates reporter in anti-woke, profanity-laden rant: 'You’re a weak f***ing man' https://t.co/pPs7zC683U
UFC middleweight champion Sean Strickland unleashed an over-the-top anti-LGBTQ tirade on Wednesday after a reporter asked him about his previous claims that having a gay son means a father has “failed as a man.” https://t.co/DKMhsU0ltC
Sports Pundit Slams ESPN After UFC Star's Shocking Comments Attacking the LGBTQ Community: 'This Is Revolting!' https://t.co/ZhCM3j5uX2
Sean Strickland goes off on journalists for trying to normalize transgenderism in culture and schools https://t.co/TFCiuhfLiH
MMA journalists are throwing temper tantrums over Sean Stricklands' remarks about gays They want him fined and suspended suspended Why is media that covers fighting filled with suck weak homos? https://t.co/qQALLH5raZ
Sean Strickland went off on journalist @AlexanderKLee simply for asking about his comments on the LGBTQ+ community via @MMAJunkie https://t.co/W8MH36q38J
“That is bullsh*t that we allow that…What are we doing?…I challenge ESPN to make a public statement about this.…are you a chicken sh*t?…this is revolting…” - @MichaelRyanRuiz reacts to UFC Middleweight Champion, Sean Strickland’s comments on the LGBT Community. 📺… https://t.co/3Cd1dZjNYG