The former UFC middleweight champion is widely considered one of the most divisive figures in MMA.
His outspoken opinions on politics, immigration and social issues have repeatedly drawn criticism. That reputation has followed him into interactions with fans, where his behavior often provokes strong reactions.
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A recent viral moment has only increased that perception. This time, it was an interaction with a young fan that quickly spread across social media.
Sean Strickland criticized after video with young fan sparks backlash
Images circulating online show Strickland posing for a photo with a girl. During the interaction, he repeatedly gestures for her to raise her middle finger toward the camera.
The girl remains calm and does not follow his example. Instead, she stands still for a normal photo, prompting Strickland to abandon the idea and pose with his hand in his pocket.
The clip quickly sparked backlash from fans online. Many questioned his behavior, particularly given the age of the fan involved in the interaction.
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The reactions about X reflected that concern.
One MMA fan wrote: “That was strange, the little boy felt confused and embarrassed.”
“That girl had a head on her shoulders for not letting him influence her,” another added.
“He’s such a stupid man,” a third person echoed.
A final fan asked: “Dude what’s wrong with her, even worse, she persisted! Kudos to the girl for staying on her own.”
Previous incident involving Anthony Hernandez’s daughter adds context
This is not the first time Strickland’s behavior with children has been questioned. A recent incident involving Anthony Hernandez’s daughter raised similar concerns.
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During UFC Houston fight week, the former middleweight champion made controversial comments on stage that upset Hernandez’s young daughter who was present. The situation caused an emotional reaction from the family.
After the fight, Strickland acknowledged the impact of his words. The 35-year-old admitted her fault and apologized directly, stating that she felt bad about how the situation affected her.
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