UFC 312: Controversial fighter Sean Strickland blows up at Daily Telegraph

Controversial UFC star Sean Strickland has delivered another bizarre press conference ahead of UFC 312, blowing up at the media, before calling Australians ‘degenerates’ and ‘white trash’.

Sean Strickland promised to die in order to beat Dricus du Plessis at UFC 312 this weekend, before adding he’d consider moving to Australia if it wasn’t for the “lack of freedom of speech.”

The divisive American was triggered by The Daily Telegraph’s back page on Thursday morning that listed Strickland’s list of incendiary statements from an unhinged media appearance on Wednesday and dared to ask the obvious question: “Will someone, please … KNOCK THIS GUY OUT.”

“Bunch of communists here, guys,” he said when shown a copy of the paper.

“I come to this country and I talk about freedom of speech, guns and taxes and you guys got these f...ing communists in the media trying to f...ing put me down.”

Sean Strickland is shown a copy of the Daily Telegraph’s backpage at a press conference.

Speaking at a raucous UFC 312 press conference just three days before his middleweight title fight main event, Strickland was often drowned out by his rowdy Aussie supporters.

“I like to teep kick and jab, but you mother***ers make me want to go out there and die,” he said. “I love you.

“Let me tell you something about the Dutch man, he fights like a retard on a short bus. But I respect you, because you fight like a maniac.

“Saddle up and let’s get it done.”

UFC boss Dana White (left) and Strickland (right) react to the image.

Always quick with the banter, du Plessis hit back with a quip of his own.

“I fight like someone on the short bus, but you look like the driver. You’re not allowed near kids anymore with that look.”

A clear crowd favourite, Strickland was almost drowned out at times, before saying he’d love to move Down Under.

“If it wasn’t for the lack of freedom of speech and gun laws, I could see myself living here,” he said. “The taxes are a little rough, you don’t really get much for it.

“If it wasn’t for the lack of freedoms, like this place.

“You guys are a bunch of f***in’ degenerates. I walk down the street and see mullets and lifted trucks. I feel like I’m back home with my white trash buddies.

“I like it here, I feel like an Australian and it feels real good to be back.”

Sean Strickland said Australians are ‘degenerates’ who remind him of his ‘white trash buddies’. Picture: Jonathan Ng

At one point, Strickland pretended to fall asleep during a line of questioning in Chinese for co-main event fighters, strawweight title fighters Weili Zhang and Tatiana Suarez.

“Please, God, don’t give the mic to the Chinaman,” he said afterwards. “That was real rough, dude. Real rough.

“I spend a lot of money at Amazon, I single-handedly support the Chinese government.”

Earlier in the day, du Plessis took to social media to say that a mark on Strickland’s left bicep was a staph infection.

The American clapped back at that suggestion.

“I’m immune to staph,” he shouted. “You see this moustache, I give staph, I don’t get it.

“I don’t get sick or injured, I don’t get staph, relax.

“I’m the hardest and strongest you’ve ever seen. To the death!”

Dricus Du Plessis UFC middleweight champion and Strickland, No. 1 UFC middleweight face off at the UFC 312 press conference. Picture: Jonathan Ng

Although he lapped up most of the crowd’s attention, Strickland clapped back at one fan who heckled him from the stands.

“Say it to my face so they can revoke my visa again,” he joked. “You know where my hotel is mother f***er.

“I try to be authentic for you guys. You look at us as superstars, but we’re just another asshole out there.

“We make mistakes, but I had no self-respect before MMA. Before MMA, I couldn’t look myself in the mirror without hating what I was seeing.

“I still hate myself a little bit. Through you guys, you’ve made me have a life I enjoy.

“Win or lose, you guys have changed my f***in’ life.”

Originally published as UFC 312: Controversial fighter Sean Strickland blows up at Daily Telegraph