Sean Strickland put the spotlight on himself in his first UFC press conference.
Known for his controversial social media statements, Strickland started the UFC 276 press conference somewhat calmed at the T-Mobile Arena. He admitted that UFC officials had asked him to behave at his best.
” The UFC was there for me from the beginning,” Strickland told the crowd. “This is my first press conference. These are vicious, savage bastards. You need to be calm.
“I’m probably the only guy who shouldn’t be here. This is how UFC knows they need to hire more. You put me on the f stage. But no, it’s all good. I’m going to do this for a long time. I can shut up and not say the ‘F’ word.”
While Strickland made plenty of noise throughout, it was a question aimed at him about naming the best striker in the middleweight division that really amped up the animosity between the UFC contender and the reigning 185-pound champion Israel Adesanya.
The exchange began after Strickland referenced Adesanya’s two losses to his upcoming opponent Alex Pereira, who beat “The Last Stylebender” in kickboxing, including a vicious knockout in their rematch back in 2017.
“I would say me [I’m the best striker] but that man [Alex Pereira] was the one who slept that man [Israel Adesanya]. Strickland replied, “So next to me? Probably Alex.” “What was it 2-0 against Izzy? Izzy, what was it? 2-0?”
That comment earned Adesanya a raise. He reacted to Strickland’s comments while reminding everyone that Pereira was in trouble in the second fight, before Pereira suffered a devastating knockout in round three.
“Didn’t you see the entire fight? Adesanya shouted at Strickland, “Exactly! Do your f ****** work next time!” What happened before you walked onto the stage?” You were slapped on your ass by my b ****.”
Strickland’s tirade aimed at Adesanya didn’t stop there, as he continued insulting him as well as Adesanya’s well-documented passion for anime, which only added fuel to the fire. Strickland also casually tossed a homophobic slur into his diatribe.
” “Oh, man! I drove the champion crazy with my f ****** hair and gay watch!” Strickland stated. I’m kidding. Izzy is a savage. Your Pornhub has tons of cartoons, Bro. I will beat any man who is able to draw cartoons. Calm down.”
The back-and-forth exchange continued, although Adesanya was often times overshadowed by Strickland’s booming voice on the microphone.
“Bro. I trust you, if this fight is won, then when I fight you, I will knock you out. I’m going do a TikTok Dance over your grave.” Adesanya stated. You should be focusing on your man. He’s going to f*** you up, too.”
Not to be outdone, Strickland came right back at Adesanya, and even addressed the past allegations aimed at the champion over performance-enhancing drug use.
Of course, Adesanya was just awarded with a jacket by the UFC for 50 consecutive clean tests under the United States Anti-Doping Agency. During the ceremony, Adesanya offered a $3 million bounty for anybody who could prove he had ever taken any illegal substances.
“I’ll give the guy credit, he’s the champion,” Strickland said. “He did have one b***** titty. It’s not clear what it was. I’m not calling the man a liar. Izzy doesn’t use steroids, that is the truth. I just like to make fun of him. Some of his s*** may not be true. Perhaps the steroids really aren’t real. The jerking away to cartoons may be true.
“Izzy, he’s a good guy, he’s a solid guy. His cartoon porn obsession is not something I judge. I’m not going to be that guy.”
As far as his own fight goes on Saturday, Strickland did pay homage to Pereira as an incredibly tough opponent, who promises to bring the battle to him with a long list of striking accolades on his resume before he came to the UFC.
That remains Strickland’s primary focus, even if he still managed to take sideways shots at Adesanya again while addressing his fight with Pereira.
“Alex is a big, scary f****** Brazilian,” Strickland said. I think that we all know this. You’re at an ATM and this motherf***** walks behind you in the middle of the night, tell me you’re going to be walking away? This guy is tough. There are many good kickboxers that I have trained with. I think I can handle it.
“After we have a war and I beat Alex, you’re going to see I’m a whole different guy. I’m going to start painting my nails, acting like a female. I’ll be wearing sunglasses inside. I’m going to get me suits. I’m going to get me a nice car. I will trade my 2018 Nissan Frontier and get a Porsche. Just f ******. I’m going to leave all you guys behind. I’m going to be the best champion you’ve ever seen.”
