UFC Middleweight Champion Sean Strickland unleashed a brutal x-rated rant after being left fuming by what he saw during this past weekend’s UFC 330 event in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.

The card at the city’s Xfinity Mobile Arena was headlined by Islam Makhachev’s unanimous decision victory over Ireland’s Ian Machado Garry. Strickland, like millions of fans around the world, tuned in to catch one of the biggest fights of the summer.

However, it was the actions of veteran coach Din Thomas on the UFC 330 post-show that sent the 35-year-old American into a rage.

Thomas has been known to perform analyst duties for the UFC on big shows, but was primarily working as a cornerman on Saturday night, overseeing Gillian Robertson’s world title bid against defending UFC Strawweight Champion, Mackenzie Dern, in the co-main event.

A decorated fighter in his prime, Thomas holds victories over popular UFC legends such as Matt Serra, Jens Pulver and Clay Guida.

However, he was unable to help steer Robertson to a victory. Dern held off a late surge from the Canadian to win via unanimous decision, in what was the inaugural defense of her title.

It was ultimately a disappointing night for Robertson, who had been on a five-fight winning-streak prior to taking on Dern. The challenger was beaten comprehensively in the first three rounds of the fight, just about surviving an opening round deep rear-naked choke. She made a late bid to turn the tide in the fifth and final round, but it was never going to be enough to take the win.

Speaking on the post-show, Thomas couldn’t hide his disappointment at the result and shocked his colleagues at the broadcast desk by making a surprise announcement about his future as a cornerman.

“I told myself I would continue to do this until I took Gillian as far as she could go,” Thomas stated on the live UFC 330 broadcast. I think that might be as far as she can go, and I am officially retiring from cornering fighters tonight,” the 49-year-old added.

While Thomas was undoubtedly emotional about the result, as it appeared he was putting down his fighter when she was at her lowest moment following a tough defeat in the biggest fight of her career.

Sean Strickland’s X-Rated Tweet After Watching UFC 330

Among those to have a major issue with Thomas’ handling of the situation was Strickland, who took to social media to call out the comments, pointing out that he had suffered setbacks in his career before going on to achieve greatness in the Octagon.

“Din Thomas is a f****** c***. I’ve had my ass kicked in multiple weight classes through my career and won two titles. You’re a d*******. It’s probably better you retire. You’re a s*** coach,” Strickland declared.

“You only lose when you quit… Din sounds like you’re a f****** loser!”

In the wake of Strickland’s tweet, Thomas has apologized for his comments, admitting he was “ashamed and embarrassed” by them.

Speaking about the controversy on the Deep Waters podcast, Thomas issued a full apology to Robertson, during which he stated:

“I selfishly stole her moment that night, and instead of congratulating her on her run, I stole her moment. And I want to apologize to her for that because I stole her moment, and I was completely wrong.

“I’ve always had your back, and I want you to know that I’m always here for you,” he told Robertson. “I’m always going to support you, and whatever you need, I’m always here for you, the same way I’ve been for you the last seven years when it was just us.”

As of now, though, Thomas has yet to indicate that he will return to coaching.

Manchester United are preparing for their Premier League opener for the 2026/27 season against Hull City on Saturday afternoon, and Michael Carrick already knows what players are likely to be available for the game.

The Red Devils completed their pre-season campaign with a 4-2 defeat to AC Milan, now managed by former boss Ruben Amorim, this past weekend, and all preparations will now turn towards their trip to the MKM Stadium.

After a summer World Cup which saw several Old Trafford stars unavailable for much of the pre-season clashes that saw them play in Sweden, Norway, Finland, and Norway, there have been question marks about the availability of certain players for the game. But the situation is now much clearer following the final pre-season game.

Matthijs De Ligt

De Ligt suffered a back injury in November 2025 following a 2-1 win over Crystal Palace at Selhurst Park, and despite it initially being described minor, the Netherlands international hasn’t played since.

In fact, the centre-back was forced to undergo surgery during the summer, and while he has now returned to first-team training, he is not expected to be available to play for a little while longer.

De Ligt didn’t feature at all during pre-season and will need to build up some minutes before being ready for the first-team, which may come after the international break.

Tom Heaton

The veteran goalkeeper signed a new one-year extension at the club this summer to stay as part of the squad, but he suffered a hamstring injury during the recent pre-season friendly clash against PSG.

Heaton was highly unlikely to play in the Premier League anyway, having never appeared in the competition before for the club, but he is now unlikely to be available for a period of time as a result of the injury. Senne Lammens will be first-choice, and should start against Hull.

Benjamin Sesko

Action Images via Reuters/Jason Cairnduff

A successful first season with Man Utd for Sesko was ended abruptly after he was forced off injury in the 3-2 win over Liverpool at Old Trafford in May with a shin injury.

It was expected that the issue was relatively minor, but Sesko has been unable to recover over the summer and is yet to feature at all during pre-season. The Slovenia international is now highly unlikely to be fit to start against Hull as a result, although he could potentially return and claim a spot on the substitutes bench.

Manuel Ugarte

REUTERS/Raquel Cunha

Manuel Ugarte wasn’t expected to be a Man Utd player this summer with the club looking to move him on two summers after his arrival from PSG, but the Uruguay international suffered a serious knee injury at the World Cup and that move was called off.

Now the midfielder faces a long rehabilitation phase as he recovers from surgery on his ACL, and he won’t be available for the rest of the year, with a return in February or March looking most likely.

Mason Mount

Mount has had an injury-hit spell at Old Trafford since joining from Chelsea three years ago, but looked set to have a new role under Carrick this season after being deployed in a deeper midfield role during pre-season.

His performances were impressive and had him in line for a start, before he suffered an injury in the first-half of the draw with PSG, which has caused him to miss the following two games against Leeds and AC Milan.

The club have said that it’s a minor injury and him missing those games was a precaution, but his injury record suggests it could end up being more, and he should be considered a doubt for the Premier League opener.

Kobbie Mainoo

Mainoo returned to Man Utd following a disappointing World Cup where he didn’t play a single minute for Thomas Tuchel, and he missed the third-place playoff win over France due to a minor injury.

But the midfield sensation is now fit and made his first appearance of pre-season during the defeat to AC Milan as a second-half substitute. He’s available to play, but a lack of preparation so far this season means he could start on the bench, with summer signings Andrey Santos and Youri Tielemans more likely to get the nod.

Lisandro Martinez

Lisandro Martinez returned from a serious knee injury last season and became a key member of the team under Carrick in the second half of the campaign. He was then key for Argentina as they reached a second consecutive World Cup final, before being forced off with an injury during the defeat to Spain.

But Martinez’s thigh problem was minor and the defender played 30 minutes in the pre-season clash with AC Milan at the weekend. He’s fit and available to play should Carrick pick him, but Ayden Heaven has impressed throughout pre-season and seems more likely to get the nod at this stage.

Karl Darlow

Darlow joined on a free transfer from Leeds this summer, but after undergoing a minor surgery at the end of the last campaign he has yet to don the shirt of his new employer.

The expectation is that he will be fit to be part of the squad in the near future, but much like Heaton, he isn’t expected to be picked before Senne Lammens anyway, so his absence isn’t a huge blow while the Belgian is fit and available.

Real Madrid manager Jose Mourinho is supposedly pushing the La Liga giants to swoop for Arsenal midfielder Martin Zubimendi, in what would be a head-turning move at the end of the transfer window.

The 27-year-old only arrived at the Emirates Stadium in a £55million move from Real Sociedad last season. Zubimendi’s first season in North London was an undoubted success, playing more than 4,000 minutes across 57 appearances as he helped the side to the Premier League title.

The Spaniard is known for doing the not-so-glamorous work in the centre of the park, but still chipped in with a solid six goals and three assists from defensive midfield. However, that does not necessarily mean that Arsenal should block all transfer offers.

Real Madrid interested in Arsenal midfielder

Via Reuters

In a report, TEAMtalk claims that Real Madrid have already held discussions with Arsenal and that the player’s representatives are weighing up opportunities away from London. It’s added that the Gunners are open to selling Zubimendi, despite the midfielder having another four years left on his contract.

Real Madrid are said to be long-term admirers of Zubimendi, who was thoroughly impressive in La Liga with Real Sociedad. The player has made 180 appearances in the Spanish top flight.

The Galacticos are set to miss out on the signing of Manchester City man Rodri, who will sign for fierce rivals Barcelona, and are looking for an extra body in the centre of the park to allow Eduardo Camavinga to leave.

Martin Zubimendi offers Arsenal unique profile

Action Images via Reuters/Peter Cziborra

Ultimately, Arsenal must not fight to sell Zubimendi. The Spaniard was a key cog in the title-winning machine last season and brings a calmness to proceedings. The player is only going to improve over the upcoming campaign, having now adjusted to the football and life in England.

It’s easy to understand where the transfer speculation comes from. Myles Lewis-Skelly had been preferred in midfield towards the end of last season and the marquee arrival of Bruno Guimaraes provides serious competition for Zubimendi.

Zubimendi was only handed a cameo off the bench against Manchester City in the Community Shield and will face a tougher fight to get into the side over the upcoming season.

Martin Zubimendi 2025/26 statistics

However, the player offers Arteta and Arsenal a different profile to that of Guimaraes, Declan Rice, Eberechi Eze, Mikel Merino and Martin Odegaard. Zubimendi is a more conservative and cautious option – the only similar profile at the club was Christian Norgaard, who has left for Everton this summer.

That is not to say that Arsenal must hang up on any calls that come in for Zubimendi, should Mourinho be truly interested in bringing the player back to Spain. Spanish outlet Mundo Deportivo claim that the Gunners have slapped a £77million price tag on the star.

That’s a loftier fee than the £65million sum Manchester City have pocketed for Ballon d’Or winner Rodri. Should Real Madrid come with an offer around that ballpark, given the number of options in midfield, Arsenal must consider a sale, but are in a position to call the shots.