UFC CEO Dana White is taking the stance that he refuses to curtail
freedom of speech even for Sean
Strickland, who is known for voicing his unfiltered opinions on
controversial topics.
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Strickland has both received criticism and gained popularity over
the years for his unabashed comments about women, gun control and
the LGBTQ community, among other topics. Ahead of his recent UFC
297 title clash against Dricus Du
Plessis, Strickland went on a profanity-filled rant directed at the LGBTQ community during
media day in Toronto.
While such comments would have undoubtedly warranted a fine or
suspension in most major sports leagues, White refuses to take away
the freedom of expression. The UFC CEO claims to have had “zero”
conversation with broadcast partners of sponsors regarding
Strickland’s recent tirade. White also put the blame on the
reporter, who he claims “baited” Strickland by asking if he stood
by his previous comments on the LGBTQ community.
“I don’t tell anyone to do anything,” White said at the UFC 297
post-fight press conference. “I don’t try to control any other
human beings in any way, shape, or form. I say it all the time,
we’re in the fight business and if you get your feelings hurt that
bad, you probably shouldn’t ask the type of questions when you know
the answers you’re gonna get from Strickland. Let’s start there…If
you ask him — you know who he is — and if you ask him a certain
question? He was baited with that question.”
White also later went off on another reporter who inquired about a
“long leash” for fighters like Strickland.
“I don’t give anyone ‘a leash.’ A leash? Free speech. Control what
people say? Gonna tell people what to believe? I don’t f—ing tell
any other human being what to say, what to think, and there’s no
leashes on any of them. That’s ridiculous to say I give somebody a
leash,” White said.
“Free speech, brother. People can say whatever they want and they
can believe whatever they want. We had two gay women who fought in
the co-main event. They sat on the stage with Sean
Strickland. They could give a s—t what Sean
Strickland thinks, or what he says. Or what his beliefs are, or
what his opinions are.”