Dana White Defends Sean Strickland’s Anti-LGBTQ Rant at UFC 297 Media Day

UFC CEO Dana White is taking the stance that he refuses to curtail freedom of speech even for Sean Strickland, who is known for voicing his unfiltered opinions on controversial topics.

Strickland has both received criticism and gained popularity over the years for his unabashed comments about women, gun control and the LGBTQ community, among other topics. Ahead of his recent UFC 297 title clash against Dricus Du Plessis, Strickland went on a profanity-filled rant directed at the LGBTQ community during media day in Toronto.

While such comments would have undoubtedly warranted a fine or suspension in most major sports leagues, White refuses to take away the freedom of expression. The UFC CEO claims to have had “zero” conversation with broadcast partners of sponsors regarding Strickland’s recent tirade. White also put the blame on the reporter, who he claims “baited” Strickland by asking if he stood by his previous comments on the LGBTQ community.

“I don’t tell anyone to do anything,” White said at the UFC 297 post-fight press conference. “I don’t try to control any other human beings in any way, shape, or form. I say it all the time, we’re in the fight business and if you get your feelings hurt that bad, you probably shouldn’t ask the type of questions when you know the answers you’re gonna get from Strickland. Let’s start there…If you ask him — you know who he is — and if you ask him a certain question? He was baited with that question.”

White also later went off on another reporter who inquired about a “long leash” for fighters like Strickland.

“I don’t give anyone ‘a leash.’ A leash? Free speech. Control what people say? Gonna tell people what to believe? I don’t f—ing tell any other human being what to say, what to think, and there’s no leashes on any of them. That’s ridiculous to say I give somebody a leash,” White said.

“Free speech, brother. People can say whatever they want and they can believe whatever they want. We had two gay women who fought in the co-main event. They sat on the stage with Sean Strickland. They could give a s—t what Sean Strickland thinks, or what he says. Or what his beliefs are, or what his opinions are.”