Sean Strickland posted a harsh criticism of New York on social media ahead of his fight with Khamzat Chimaev in Newark, New Jersey. The bout is scheduled to take place in Newark, which is approximately 35 minutes by car from Central Park in New York City. In his tweet, Strickland called New York 'the perfect example of what it means to be a Democrat,' criticizing its children, adults, and leaders as 'pathetic.' He stated that New York and most of its residents are 'a disgrace to America,' adding that people there are either criminals or weak wealthy individuals without backbone. The comments represent a provocative departure from the typical athlete approach of praising host cities.
