UFC 293: Sean Strickland punches a fan in the stomach in Bondi while sightseeing
Sean Strickland has landed himself in hot water less than a day after arriving in Australia, admitting he has no self control after he gave a fan an ‘uppercut to the stomach’.
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It took Sean Strickland less than a day to get into his first fight in Australia, with the controversial American punching a man in the stomach in Bondi on Monday.
The controversial American, who fights Israel Adesanya for the middleweight title at UFC 293 in Sydney on Sunday, was doing some sightseeing when a fight fan approached him.
“Look, 99% of fans are amazing, but he came up to me and I shook his hand and thought he was going to ask for a picture,” Strickland told this masthead.
“He didn’t ask for a picture, instead he decided to insult me.
“He said something like, Izzy’s gonna f**k me up or something, and me having no self-control, just trying to hang out at the beach, I’m gonna hit someone.
“I just gave him an uppercut to the stomach and walked away.”
Strickland has four knockout finishes in the UFC, but doesn’t think the fan in question suffered too much.
“If we’ve learned anything from my fights it’s that I don’t hit that hard, dude, so he just took a step back,” he said. “I think it was supposed to be followed up by a compliment, but I’d already gone off.
“Thanks to that guy for not pressing charges. I don’t think he’s gonna send my ass back to America before I get my paycheck.”
It wasn’t the first spot of trouble the opinionated Strickland has found himself in.
He was caught up at customs after touching down on Sunday as well.
“I have a very minor criminal record…a couple of assaults with a deadly weapon,” he said. “You guys have felonies in Australia? Well I had them reduced down, so they’re called ‘wobblers’ but it pretty much makes my life complicated.
“But I can still own a gun.”
Strickland, who went viral in June for a shocking press conference in which he spouted racist and misogynistic comments, is hoping his power returns by Sunday, when he steps into the Octagon with Adesanya.
He’s not planning on having a strategic fight. Nor does he want to wrestle.
“At this level, it’s a war. It’s just a war,” he said. “You think I’m gonna go in there, stick, move and jab and win on points? That’s not how this fight goes.
“It’s a war, you go in the there dick to dick, nose to nose and in 25 minutes you either get knocked out or you get your hand raised.”
CONTROVERSIAL UFC STAR A NO SHOW FOR WELCOME TO COUNTRY
Sean Strickland was conspicuous in his absence at Tuesday’s Welcome to Country at Barangaroo.
The controversial American, who has been widely criticised for his views of women, race and various other topics was considered too much of a risk to attend.
Meanwhile, his opponent in the UFC 293 main event this weekend, middleweight champion Israel Adesanya, was an enthusiastic participant in the traditional ceremony.
When do I get to see me mate…
— Israel Adesanya (@stylebender) September 5, 2023
Adesanya even took a few moments to meditate in the sun and dip his hands and feet in the waters of Sydney Harbour.
Adesanya was joined by nine other fighters on the card, including Sydney’s Tai Tuivasa and Tyson Pedro for the Welcome to Country, which was conducted by Gadigal elder Brendan Kerin at Barangaroo Reserve.
The number six ranked heavyweight Tuivasa fights Alexander Volkov in the UFC 293 co-main event.
“It’s awesome to be home and see all the boys,” Tuivasa said of the Welcome to Country ceremony.
“It’s the oldest living culture that no one knows about, so it’s good. It always matters, and if you know me, you’ve seen it.
“It’s always something I represent and something I hold very close.
“You know you’re home, you’re at a place you feel familiar with, so it’s good.”
Adesanya kicked off fight week a night earlier at the Sydney premiere of the documentary about his life. The Nigerian-born Kiwi pressed the flesh on the red carpet, with Parramatta Eels stars Dylan Brown and Will Penisini, featherweight UFC champion Alex Volkanovski and Nedd Brockmann all in attendance.
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Originally published as UFC 293: Sean Strickland punches a fan in the stomach in Bondi while sightseeing
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