UFC Star Sean Strickland Has Wild Reaction to Charlie Kirk Gun Shooting Sparks Controversy 

Former UFC middleweight champion Sean Strickland shares an unusual reaction to Charlie Kirk getting shot in broad daylight.

UFC Star Sean Strickland Has Wild Reaction to Charlie Kirk Gun Shooting Sparks Controversy 

Sean Strickland talks about getting excited watching Charlie Kirk's shooting (via X)

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Conservative activist Charlie Kirk was shot during a public appearance at Utah Valley University, leaving the audience horrified. He was rushed to a nearby hospital for emergency treatment, where doctors confirmed his untimely death. The devastating news quickly spread online, drawing reactions worldwide and even attracting attention from UFC superstar Sean Strickland. 

Kirk was struck in the neck by a single shot fired from approximately 200 yards away. Authorities quickly detained a person of interest, though investigations later cleared him, and he was released without any charges. After the tragic event, UFC fighter Sean Strickland voiced his controversial opinions on social media, sparking outrage and heated debates.

My gut reaction was.. I felt this little dopamine spike in me where I’m like, ‘Dude, I wanna see the video.’ Then I saw the video. Real bad. . But I was still kind of excited from it… And then you start thinking man, like how the (expletive) did I become such a sociopath? How am I so disattached from human beings? We are so desensitized and we are such sociopaths, it’s kind of sad… It’s so sad that we let these people ruin America and it’s taken the soul from us. They took God from us.

Sean Strickland via X

Strickland argued that violent video games combined with manipulative politicians have conditioned Americans into viewing gun violence as something admirable. He admitted to becoming numb to frequent online tragedies, even stating that Kirk’s shocking death did not personally disturb him deeply.

Known for his unhinged personality, Strickland’s controversial remarks and erratic behavior merely reinforced his already established public image. The former UFC middleweight champion, long regarded as an unapologetic patriot, and was a vocal supporter of Donald Trump during 2024.

However, in recent months, Strickland has openly criticized Trump’s presidential policies, expressing frustration with several controversial government decisions. Contrary to his recent opinions, Strickland has always been a supporter of bearing guns for private defence. 

Sean Strickland’s sparring partner shares violent exchanges

Sean Strickland is currently suspended from competition after assaulting another MMA fighter during an altercation at a local promotion. The confrontation escalated when Strickland felt provoked, prompting him to storm into the cage and physically attack the unsuspecting fighter.

Sean Strickland's aggressive behaviour in sparring
Sean Strickland’s aggressive behaviour in sparring (via X)

Although the incident drew heavy criticism, Strickland’s controversial history suggests such reckless, aggressive behavior is hardly unusual for the veteran. His fan following has remained unchanged despite several controversies.

The American fighter is well known for hard sparring sessions, which help him to sharpen his striking skills. The fighter does heavy sparring and was often seen beating up influencers during sparring. In a recent interview, Strickland’s training partner and former UFC fighter, Jake Ellenberger, talked about getting into heated exchanges with the ‘Tarzan’.

I’ve gotten into a lot of fights in training in the gym. You’re younger and sparring, and it gets out of control and spills over. I had plenty of those with Sean Strickland. The thing I appreciate about guys like Strickland is that you know what you’re getting. What I couldn’t stand is when you go into sparring, and you think we’re going 50% and guys are going 100%, just tell me what we’re doing so I can be prepared and aware.

Jake Ellenberger via BloodyElbow 

Strickland once trained alongside UFC champion Khamzat Chimaev, but their relationship deteriorated badly, leading to a heated rivalry. After tensions rose, Chimaev threatened to release sparring footage allegedly showing him dominating Strickland, adding fuel to their growing conflict.

Recently, following Chimaev’s impressive middleweight victory, Strickland reignited the feud by publicly calling him out. The likelihood of the American fighter receiving a title shot against Chimaev remains slim, considering the rise of other surging middleweight contenders. However, he may just need a win realistically to earn another title opportunity, considering his popularity.

At present, Strickland is sharpening his skills alongside former rival Alex Pereira, forming an alliance ahead of the Brazilian’s next challenge. Pereira is determined to reclaim his championship status at UFC 320, seeking revenge against Magomed Ankalaev after their previous title clash.

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