Sean Strickland posted a provocative tweet criticizing New York and its residents ahead of his fight at UFC 328 in Newark, New Jersey. Rather than engaging in the typical promotional 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 stated that New York and the majority of its residents are "a disgrace to America," claiming people there are either criminals or wealthy individuals without backbone. Newark's Prudential Center is approximately 35 minutes by car from New York's Central Park.
Sean Strickland used social media this week to take an unconventional approach to promoting UFC 328, launching a pointed attack on New York and its residents ahead of his fight at Newark's Prudential Center on May 9.
Rather than following the standard promotional playbook of celebrating the host region, the middleweight champion posted a tweet calling New York "a perfect example of what it means to be a Democrat" and labeling the city's children, adults, and leaders as pathetic. He went further, describing New York and the majority of its residents as "a disgrace to America," characterizing people there as either criminals or wealthy individuals lacking backbone. The Prudential Center sits roughly 35 minutes by car from New York's Central Park.
Strickland, 35, is the reigning UFC middleweight champion and carries a professional record of 31-7-0. The American fighter out of Xtreme Couture stands six-foot-one with a 76-inch reach and has built his reputation on relentless offensive output, landing 6.04 significant strikes per minute with a 42 percent striking accuracy rate. His pressure-heavy, volume-striking style has made him one of the more distinctive champions in the division.
Why it matters
- Strickland's comments add a charged atmosphere to an already high-profile UFC 328 card scheduled for the New York metro area.
- The middleweight champion has a history of unfiltered social media activity, and this episode continues that pattern in a market with a large and vocal fanbase.
- His remarks could generate significant crowd reaction at the Prudential Center, where New York-area fans are likely to be well represented.
Saturday, May 9, 2026
