Strickland insults New York ahead of Chimaev fight in Newark

Sean Strickland posted a controversial tweet insulting New York and its residents ahead of his fight with Khamzat Chimaev in Newark, New Jersey. The bout will take place at the Prudential Center, which is approximately 35 minutes from Central Park in Manhattan. Instead of engaging in the typical pre-fight promotional routine 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 added that New York and its residents are "a disgrace to America," stating that people there are either criminals or "rich pussies without a backbone." This marks an unusual approach to fight week promotion in the New York metropolitan area.