Dana White Backs Strickland's Free Speech Rights

UFC President Dana White defended Sean Strickland's latest offensive comments as a matter of free speech ahead of the fighter's UFC Houston main event against Anthony Hernandez on February 21, 2026. Strickland made disparaging remarks during media day on Wednesday, including homophobic comments about Bad Bunny and the Super Bowl halftime show, as well as criticism of Ronda Rousey and Gina Carano's upcoming Netflix MMA fight. White stated he disagrees with 95 percent of what Strickland says but believes it's the fighter's right to express himself. The UFC president has consistently defended Strickland's controversial statements, previously making similar comments after the fighter's remarks about Raquel Pennington and Mayra Bueno Silva in January 2024. Strickland and Hernandez are competing in a middleweight title eliminator for a shot at new champion Khamzat Chimaev.