UFC CEO Dana White fully supports fighters’ right to free speech.
Ultimate Fighting Championship has witnessed an increase in athletes using personal remarks to promote their matches. This strategy has been employed by fighters like Chael Sonnen and Conor McGregor. However, former middleweight world champion Sean Strickland has taken this to a new level with his outspoken and sometimes racy commentary. In particular, his views on the LGBTQ+ community and transgender individuals.
Prior to his UFC 297 title win against Doricus du Plessis, Strickland was questioned by a Canadian journalist about his previous derogatory comments about the gay community. His response led to a homophobic outburst, making many uncomfortable.
Following UFC 297 at Scotiabank Arena, Dana White stated that he gives his fighters the freedom to express themselves and cited giving Strickland “a tone.” He accused Canadian journalists of provoking Sean Strickland.
“I’m not telling anyone to do anything,” White said. “I don’t try to control other human beings in any way. We’re in the fighting business. If you get your feelings hurt that badly, Maybe you should ask the questions you know the answers you’ll get from Strickland. Start there. If you ask him… you know who he is, and you know who he is. If you ask him a specific question…he fools you with that question.
“I don’t give anyone a chain, a chain. Freedom of speech,” White continued. “I control what people say and I tell people what to believe. I don’t tell other humans what to say or think, and No-Lead is none of those things. It would be foolish to give someone the lead. Freedom of speech, brother. People can say whatever they want. They can believe whatever they want. ”
Strickland lost his first defense of the middleweight title to Doricus du Plessis. White revealed in the post-match press conference that the promotion is not considering an immediate rematch between the two.
