MMA Fighter Says Women Are 'Too Empowered' and Have 'Ruined Society'—Rants on Bad Bunny and Ronda Rousey

At a Paramount+ media day, UFC fighter Sean Strickland made a series of sexist and homophobic comments, as well as misogynistic ones, causing outrage throughout the sports community.

The event, which was intended to promote Strickland's next fight with Anthony Hernandez, became a circus, Variety reports.

Strickland, who returned after being suspended for attacking a cornerman, went on a barrage of slurs that left fans and commentators gasping.

'Ronda Rousey can fight. I think she lost a few fights to her ex, but bitch can fight,' he announced, then turning to Gina Carano with a lewd comment, 'I like Gina. She's like really conservative. She was hot, you know. I was like a kid when she was fighting. I may have jerked off to her once or twice in my day.'

The comments were not only restricted to women fighters

He also took aim at the NFL's Super Bowl XL halftime show, when performer Bad Bunny and one-time WWE 24/7 Champion was described as a 'f-ck-ng fag-t.'

'I think they all get together around a table and say, 'You know what guys, how do we ruin this sport? How do we gay it up?' he added, to ridicule league leadership.

'Why don't we get a gay foreigner in who doesn't speak the language [or say, 'fucking English'] and have him do [the halftime show]?'

His tirade spilled on into the arena of gender politics.

'No one gives a fuck about women's sports'

'There's nothing wrong with women. They do great things. They cook, they clean,' which is a slap to the heart of women's MMA. The quote, which was unchallenged by the UFC's media team, did not sit well online.

The fight, which is scheduled for Saturday night, is Strickland's first bout after a suspension in 2025, but the incident has once again put him in the headline for all the wrong reasons. The UFC's response was muted, no word right away. Paramount+, which is the exclusive broadcaster, was mum.

Critics said it was a blatant attempt to delegitimize the modern, diversified face of American sports. Others viewed it as a frank, albeit offensive, reflection of a portion of fans who feel that the NFL is becoming too inclusive.

Apparently, not his first

In 2023, Strickland made another round of sexist comments at a press conference ahead of his Sydney event.

'Women don't need to work, they need to stay home and raise a family,' Strickland told various media outlets. He said he will 'lose it' and turn 'cannibal' of there are no women in the planet to look after him.

'I've got to make my own food, fold my own laundry, what is the f---ing point?' he said, while wearing a shirt that read, 'Cancel me.'

The NFL's leadership, which is known to have a position on the topic of inclusion, has remained quiet so far. The league's partners, such as the multimillion-dollar contract with Paramount+, could be questioned as to how these comments may affect the image of the brand.

Across the sports community, there are calls for disciplinary action. The UFC has a disciplinary board that has yet to issue any decisions. Meanwhile, sports ethics groups are analysing the incident to determine whether a formal apology is needed.