UFC middleweight champion Sean Strickland did not hold back after appearing at the Brand Risk 14 influencer card at Meta APEX, saying he regretted being involved in the event.
Strickland attended the Adin Ross–promoted show and served as a guest commentator for one of the fights on a lineup that featured influencer boxing and MMA bouts. The card, which was supported by UFC CEO Dana White and held at the UFC’s home base, was not well received critically.
Reacting afterward, Strickland delivered a blistering assessment of his experience. “I’ve never been a part of anything so shameful in my life and I hate myself,” he said, later adding, “And I feel like less of a man after being here. Oh, God, why did I agree to this? …”
He described leaving the venue in disgust. “I had to get the f*ck out of there, man. … I like Adin, but I’m like sick to my f*cking stomach. That is f*cked up. This is the most f*cked up thing I’ve ever witnessed in my f*cking life. 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.”
On the card itself, Johnny Manziel defeated Bob Menery in the first round of their headlining bout, while Lance Stephenson stopped Michael Beasley in about 90 seconds in the co-main event.
Strickland also voiced concern about streamer culture and its reach. “But I think what sucks is you take these streamers and they have this like massive following, and you just know that their the next generations of Americans,” he said, later calling it “so f*cking sad to think that the streamer community is going to inherit America.”
