Following the news that Sean Strickland has been banned from attending the UFC Freedom 250 event, a number of fighters have had their say on the matter.

UFC middleweight champion Sean Strickland took to X to confirm he has been instructed not to attend the UFC event, due to take place on the South Lawn of the White House on the 14th of June.

Strickland has claimed that because he has spoken out about President Trump’s associations with Jeffrey Epstein and the Israeli Prime Minister, he has been ordered by Dana White and the rest of the UFC hierarchy to stay away from the Presidential home.

The fall-out has continued, as fellow UFC fighter Bryce Mitchell has had his say on the matter, who is never one to shy away from controversial topics.

What Bryce Mitchell Has Said About Sean Strickland’s Ban

Reacting to the middleweight champion’s ban, Mitchell said: “I’m not surprised at all.”

The 31-year-old went on to explain how he believes that freedom of speech is an important part of being American and should allow a person to criticise if and when they see fit.

Despite siding with Strickland, Mitchell did admit that he would jump at the chance to be a part of the card for UFC Freedom 250.

“I do want to be on the card,” he added, before explaining that he isn’t jealous of the likes of Derrick Lewis, Alex Pereira, and Sean O’Malley. “This is what I gotta say, I ain’t jealous of any of those fighters. I am so happy for those fighters.

“If they need me to fill in, if I’m healthy, hey, I’ll do it.”

Bryce Mitchell’s Previous Controversies

The 18-3 fighter has a history of controversial takes, from claiming COVID-19 was created by the US government, to praising Adolf Hitler and denying that the Holocaust happened, so he probably isn’t someone Sean Strickland sees as a worthwhile advocate.

Mitchell does, however, go on to say that he thinks sport and government shouldn’t go hand in hand.

Mitchell is defiant in his opinion that the UFC should not be working with the White House to host an event, but he does refrain from putting the blame on the likes of Dana White, and says it is an opportunity that the UFC could not turn down. He puts the blame solely on the US government, claiming: “We already have a corrupted government.”

Mitchell is in action this Saturday on the UFC Vegas 118 card when he takes on Satiago Luna.

With the UFC White House event just around the corner, one champion has had his say on the whole situation.

The UFC brings the Octagon to the South Lawn of the White House on the 14th of June, with a stacked card including Ilia Topuria returning to face interim lightweight champion Justin Gaethje, and Sean O’Malley, Derrick Lewis, and Alex Pereira all in actions as well, including the latter’s heavyweight debut.

One fighter not involved, however, is Sean Strickland, the only current male American UFC champion, who has been told to stay away from the White House event due to his criticism of President Donald Trump.

Sean Strickland Banned From White House For UFC Freedom 250

The middleweight champion has previously been a vocal supporter of Trump. However, he has openly condemned his handling of the Iran war.

On top of this, Strickland has spoken out about President Trump’s association with Jeffrey Epstein as well as his dealings with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu.

Strickland has said that he has been informed by the bosses at UFC to not attend the event, saying: “I made fun of Israel and Epstein. The only male American champ banned at the White House.

Sean Strickland Breaks Silence on White House Ban

The 35-year-old fighter posted a video on X in which he made these claims. He went on to say he still plans to go to the event: “I already bought my plane ticket. I’m gonna bring the belt, get a big f****** bullhorn, and we’re gonna go right up to the gates.

The California native has acknowledged that it may not have been the President himself who banned him from UFC White House. He posted on X after the video: “I highly doubt Trump is sitting there saying, ‘Don’t clear Sean.’ I’m sure he knows nothing about me being blacklisted but regardless, it was done.”

Whether the UFC veteran has actually been banned remains to be seen, but the whole situation feels like a WWE storyline. Especially with his threats to turn up at the gates wearing bullhorns.

It wouldn’t be a huge shock if Dana White and co. did in fact ban Strickland. The middleweight champion is a known loose cannon, and with so many issues to address in order for the UFC Freedom 250 to go off without a hitch, it may well be in their best interests to tell him to stay away.

Manchester City have released a strong statement after Real Madrid presidential candidate Enrique Riquelme claimed that he will sign Erling Haaland this summer if he’s elected.

Riquelme is going head-to-head with long-serving president Florentino Perez, and has made some outrageous promises if he is to win that battle this Sunday. Not only has he told fans that Haaland will be coming to the Bernabeu, but his Man City teammate Rodri, too.

Perez hasn’t been contested in his role since all the way back in 2004, but his opponent is pulling out all the stops to try and win the election. Riquelme has even stated that Jose Mourinho won’t be his manager, as he has another candidate in mind.

Manchester City Respond to Erling Haaland Claim

With Pep Guardiola now gone, speculation around Man City’s star players has ramped up in recent weeks. Riquelme claimed that a release clause was active in Haaland’s contract, and that the player ‘wants to join Real Madrid’.

“Haaland has a release clause and wants to join Real Madrid,” he told a Spanish TV channel. However, that claim has been refuted by the Etihad-based club, who now appear to be considering their options legally. A club statement read:

The Citizens’ complaint appears to come from the fact that the host of the show, Pablo Matos, displayed a Real Madrid shirt with the Norwegian’s name on the back of it. They have opted to take a strong stance in response.

Haaland’s Father Speaks Out on Real Madrid Links

Fabrizio Romano posted a statement from both Haaland’s agent, Rafaela Pimenta, and his father. Alf-Inge Haaland said: “All very entertaining but NOT true. We wish all the best for both candidates in the Real Madrid elections.”

It appears extremely unlikely that the Premier League Golden Boot winner will be going anywhere soon. The likes of Bernardo Silva and John Stones have already left Man City along with Guardiola. Haaland will be one of the leaders in the dressing room, looking to put an end to a two-year title drought.

He’d also face stiff competition in Madrid from Kylian Mbappe. Working out a way to play both forwards and Vinicius Junior would be an extremely difficult task. But by City’s account, one we won’t be seeing anytime soon.