UFC middleweight star Sean Strickland is known for his outspoken antics. He is known for his brash persona and unfiltered opinions. The former middleweight champion took things to another level. He blasted the welterweight title contender Belal Muhammad for criticizing him recently. It is safe to say that Strickland did not hold back.
Sean Strickland unloaded a profanity-laced tirade on the welterweight contender just a day before his vital UFC 302 co-main event. Muhammad recently trash-talked Strickland for being indifferent to the struggles faced by the Palestinian people. As such, Strickland brutally asked the American-born Muhammad to go back to Palestine.
Listen dude: go to f**king Palestine. Go f**king fight for your f**king country. Get the f**k out of here, you f**king can.
Sean Strickland via Kairouz Bros YT
It’s clear their war of words remains red-hot despite never having fought. Sean Strickland further claimed that Muhammad became silent whenever they crossed paths in person. He said that Belal Muhammad kept his head down and walked off. He, however, accused Belal Muhammad of acting drastically differently online. Belal Muhamad is ethnically Palestinian and constantly showcases his support for Palestine.
The effect of the Palestine-Israel conflict is seen everywhere, and the UFC is no exception. These two fighters hold opposing views about this conflict. The war of words between the two has been going on for quite some time now. This new incident ensured that it would remain heated in the near future.
Sean Strickland goes off on Belal Muhammad for a Pro-Palestine tweet
Sean Strickland has a knack for stirring up controversy with his outspoken rants. This has made him a polarizing figure in the UFC. Fight fans either hate him or love him. The former UFC middleweight champion set his target on the welterweight contender Belal Muhammad.
This was back in October of 2023. It started when Muhammad posted “Pray for Palestine” on social media in response to the ongoing Israel-Palestine conflict. A simple statement, but one that set off Strickland. This is what Strickland posted in response:
This is what you’d call a coward response. Instead of taking a stand against terrorism and advocating for a peaceful resolution you say this dumb sh*t… Ignoring what just happened. Belal you were born in America, you live in America just shut the f**k up.
Sean Strickland via X
The two fighters have gone back and forth for a while now. Muhammad had asked to be matched up against the “piece of trash” Strickland back in 2021. Strickland had also accused Muhammad of “propagating war” between Israel and Palestine on Joe Rogan‘s podcast. The heated rivalry continued until 2024 and didn’t look like it would end.