The Nevada State Athletic Commission (NSAC) has suspended UFC fighter Sean Strickland for 6 months following an altercation with another fighter at an MMA event in June.
The former UFC middleweight champion, who was not competing at the event in question, entered the cage after Miles Hunsinger suffered a submission loss to Luis Hernandez. Following the victory, Hernandez could be seen shouting at Hunsinger’s corner, which included Strickland, prompting Strickland to storm the cage and throw a pair of punches before being separated.
The NSAC fined Strickland $5,000 for the incident, though he can have his ban reduced to 4.5 months if he successfully completes an anger management course. The 34 year old hasn’t fought since losing to Dricus Du Plessis in February, and did not have a fight scheduled at the time of the suspension.
Because the suspension will be retroactive to the incident in question, the earliest Strickland could return to action if he sits the full term would be December 29th.
Per NSAC chairman Dallas Haun, Strickland didn’t attempt to push back much in the hearings, opting instead to accept the commission’s ruling. “Sean Strickland stepped forward. He made this process easy,” Haun said during the meeting. “He apologized for his behavior. We appreciate someone stepping up, owning something and then a resolution could be come to quickly and with all parties in agreement.
“So again, our thanks to Mr. Strickland. He made a mistake and he’s owned it and we appreciate that.”
Strickland took to social media to address the issue, while also taking the opportunity to take a shot at new champion Khamzat Chimaev. “Ready to put this to bed and get back in the cage,” Strickland wrote on Instagram. “Can’t have a terrorist as a champion, sadly I think Im the only one to change that. Appreciate the commission for getting this done.. Anger management here I come.”
Chimaev defeated Du Plessis to capture middleweight gold at UFC 319 in Chicago, IL on August 16th in a rather one sided affair.
Photo: East718. This file is licensed under the Creative Commons Attribution 2.0 Generic license.