UFC CHIEF DANA WHITE DENIES SEAN STRICKLAND BAN FROM WHITE HOUSE EVENT

UFC chief Dana White has said that middleweight champion Sean Strickland has not been banned from attending UFC Freedom 250, scheduled to take place on the South Lawn of the White House. White made the statement on Tuesday in response to claims by Strickland that the promotion had barred him from the event. UFC Freedom 250 is set to be held on President Donald Trump's 80th birthday as part of celebrations marking 250 years of American independence. White acknowledged that attendance at the event would be limited, citing a capacity of 4,300 tickets.

Strickland had claimed last week that the UFC barred him due to comments he made about Trump, Israel and the Epstein Files. White dismissed those claims and suggested Strickland had made clear he did not wish to participate in the event. White stated that no fighters, musicians or media members had been banned from UFC Freedom 250. Strickland responded on social media platform X, writing that he received a call from the UFC informing him he had not been cleared by the White House.

The dispute has drawn attention to Strickland's standing within the sport, with White describing him as a figure who has started altercations at Power Slap events. Strickland has previously made homophobic and racist remarks, as well as derogatory comments about women. The UFC Freedom 250 event is also facing a legal challenge, with a lawsuit having been filed against it. No further details about the lawsuit's status appear in the confirmed material available.