Strickland rips New York ahead of UFC Newark fight with Chimaev

Sean Strickland posted a controversial tweet attacking New York and its residents ahead of his upcoming fight with Khamzat Chimaev in Newark, New Jersey. The event takes place just 35 minutes from Manhattan's Central Park. Rather than engaging in the typical fighter practice of praising the host city, Strickland called New York "a perfect example of what it means to be a Democrat" and described its children, adults, and leaders as "pathetic." He went further to say New York and the majority of its residents are "a disgrace to America," stating people are either criminals or wealthy individuals without backbone. The inflammatory comments stand in stark contrast to the usual promotional approach fighters take when competing near major cities.