UFC middleweight champion Sean Strickland caused a stir at UFC Freedom 250 in Washington, D.C., after appearing uninvited at the promotion’s festivities and ultimately being escorted from the venue.
Strickland was not invited to the UFC Freedom 250 event but showed up at Friday’s press conference, where he was chased by fans before local law enforcement intervened. The following day, UFC hosted a fan festival featuring guest fighters, podcasts, booths, and vendors.
During the fan festival, Strickland entered the ring area while Logan Paul was filming for his Impaulsive podcast. He was then escorted out of the event and, according to event communication, "was advised not to return to the venue for his own safety and the safety of event patrons." Strickland was not arrested or cited.
The weekend crowd was vocal throughout, with chants of "U.S.A.! U.S.A.!" heard during the commotion, and one onlooker declaring they "almost died" amid the rush of fans.
Strickland is the reigning UFC middleweight champion, having won the title last month, and is expected to return to action later this year.
