Middleweight champion Sean Strickland revealed on Wednesday that he was ‘banned’ from attending the UFC Freedom 250 event on June 14 at the White House. According to Strickland, criticism of Israel, the war in Iran and the handling of the Epstein Files led to him being uninvited.
During the UFC Vegas 118 Media Day, bantamweight Bryce Mitchell was asked about Strickland being prohibited from attending the historic event. “Thug Nasty” said he wasn’t surprised by the development.
“I’m not surprised at all. Freedom of speech is what really makes this country great. When you can’t criticize a foreign nation, a foreign nation, come on, man. We ought to be able to criticize our own nation, let a long a foreign nation. In fact, that’s the only nation you’re not allowed to criticize, you know,” said Mitchell.
“Something’s going to change because evil empires don’t last forever. There’s always a rebellion. You ever seen Star Wars? That’s what’s going to happen, bro. Darth Vader’s going to get took down.”
Mitchell isn’t a fan of the UFC event taking place at the White House, or any sporting event. His objections weren’t with the fight promotion, they were with the government.
“First off, I ain’t jealous of any of those fighters. I am so happy for those fighters. I don’t think you could have got a better main event. I’m happy for every single last fighter on that card,” Mitchell said. “For the UFC, I think it’s great. It’s beyond great. It’s literally the perfect scenario. But as far as the government.
“I’m an economics major. I love studying politics. On the political side of things, not the UFC’s business. Of course they’re going to say yes to it. But what I think personally is our government is desacrating its role in society by entertaining sports,” said Mitchell.
“Our government is to protect and serve the people and really should be as minimal as possible. When you’re doing all this stuff, hosting sporting events, it’s really outside of what the goal of government was intended to be because our tax dollars and resources are funding this operation. And like I said, I’m not criticizing the UFC. I love Dana [White]. I love Hunter [Campbell]. I love Sean [Shelby], Mick [Maynard]. I love all of them. And it’s an amazing thing. It’s a once-in-a-lifetime thing. But the government should never be hosting sporting events because there’s more room for corruption and we already have a corrupted government. And so, that’s my thoughts on it is the government is supposed to protect us, not entertain us.”
Mitchell (18-3) faces undefeated prospect Santiago Luna (8-0) on the UFC Vegas 118 main card on Saturday at the Meta Apex in Las Vegas.