Sean Strickland did not hold back after attending Saturday night’s Brand Risk 14 event, calling the experience one of the worst moments he has ever been part of.
The UFC middleweight champion appeared at the card held at the Meta APEX, where former NFL quarterback Johnny Manziel faced social media personality Bob Menery in the main event. The show, promoted by streamer Adin Ross, mixed boxing and MMA bouts with internet personalities and former athletes.
Strickland even joined commentary duties for one of the fights before eventually leaving the arena early.
Watch the rant here
Strickland unloads on chaotic event
After the event, Strickland posted a series of reactions on Instagram Stories where he made it clear he regretted attending.
“I’ve never been a part of anything so shameful in my life and I hate myself,”
“And I feel like less of a man after being here. Oh, God, why did I agree to this?
“I had to get the fck out of there, man. … I like Adin, but I’m like sick to my fcking stomach.”
This is the most fcked up thing I’ve ever witnessed in my f*cking life.”
Strickland continued by saying the atmosphere and overall presentation pushed him to his limit.
“I’m ready to go home and look myself in the mirror after, I’ve never done anything so shameful in my life being a part of this.”
“Sorry, guys. Was just trying to say hi to a friend, next thing you know, your dignity is gone.”
Influencer fight scene continues dividing combat sports fans
The event itself drew attention across the MMA world because of its unusual lineup and the involvement of several recognizable names.
Manziel stopped Menery in the opening round of their headlining fight. In the co-main event, former NBA guard Lance Stephenson overwhelmed Michael Beasley in less than two minutes.
UFC CEO Dana White also supported the show and allowed the event to take place at the UFC’s home facility, something that sparked heavy discussion online among fight fans.
For Strickland, the bigger issue was what the event represented culturally.
“You know what it is guys? There was some good boxing and then shit got all f*cking weird.”
“But I think what sucks is you take these streamers and they have this like massive following, and you just know that they’re the next generations of Americans.
“It’s so f*cking sad to think that the streamer community is going to inherit America. It’s so bad. I just want it all to stop. It’s so bad, you guys. It’s so bad.”