UFC fighter Sean Strickland said Friday that he will not participate in the White House fight next year, citing the Trump administration’s controversy around the late convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein.
“I think I’d wanna do the White House… if there was some kind of inclusion for fans,” Strickland told video streamer Adin Ross and his friends. “So, if there was some kind of inclusion for fans, it’d be more … but like, just to go hang out with the f—ing Epstein list? I’m good, dog. I’m good, dude.”
His decision to back away from the White House UFC face-off coincided with the Department of Justice’s latest release of files showcasing images, documents and flight logs tied to Epstein and his wealthy entourage. The administration was compelled to share the documents publicly after President Trump signed the bipartisan Epstein Files Transparency Act into law late last month.
Photos have also resurfaced of Trump with Epstein in recent weeks, raising questions about the president’s knowledge of the disgraced financier’s alleged sex trafficking of underage girls.
Trump, who has not been accused of wrongdoing, claims he dismissed Epstein from his Mar-a-Lago resort in Florida after he discovered the late millionaire was luring away his employees.
Strickland said the culture surrounding the controversy is off-putting and he isn’t the only fighter to distance themselves from the White House match-up. In recent months, UFC fighter Brandon Royval and former MMA fighter Ronda Rousey have questioned the details surrounding the event.
“I don’t give a f‑‑‑ about any of our political figures right now, and it’s like to fight in front of them seems like some f‑‑‑ing ‘Hunger Games’ type of f‑‑‑ing s‑‑‑,” Royval said. “I don’t give a f‑‑‑ to fight in front of some f‑‑‑ing billionaires and rich people that could give a s‑‑‑ less about me. Probably throwing parlays. F‑‑‑ you guys.”
The fighter, who’s nicknamed “Raw Dawg,” said he’d rather fight in front of fans “who can relate to me.”
“Also, I’m too Mexican-looking. [Immigration and Customs Enforcement] is suspiciously arresting motherf‑‑‑ers, and I don’t know. Who knows, bro? Next thing you know, I’m in Mexico and I don’t speak Spanish,” he added.
The cage match is scheduled to take place on June 14, Trump’s 80th birthday, and ahead of the celebration of the U.S.s 250th birthday.
UFC chief Dana White said the event will likely be featured on CBS and suggested that multiple fighters were in line to be on the list. In October, Conor McGregor confirmed that he would participate.