Sean Strickland directs rant toward UFC champ Justin Gaethje, manager

Sean Strickland has launched a verbal attack on UFC lightweight champion Justin Gaethje, though his primary target is Gaethje's manager, Ali Abdelaziz. The middleweight champion took to social media to air grievances about Gaethje's representation, referencing Abdelaziz's alleged past legal troubles and claims of cooperation with authorities.

In a post on X, Strickland expressed frustration with the situation, stating: "Let me tell you why Gaethje is a bitch, and it pains me because I like him. His manager Ali was arrested for being a fucking terrorist then snitched on his terrorist boys. He could offer me a billion dollars to manage me and [I'd] tell him to get f—ed because I'm an American."

The feud between Strickland (30-7) and Gaethje (28-5) originated in the lead-up to Gaethje's lightweight title victory over Ilia Topuria at UFC White House earlier this month. Strickland was notably absent from the event, and when a fan suggested boycotting the card in response to the omission, Gaethje publicly opposed the boycott idea. That disagreement escalated into a heated social media exchange between the two fighters. Strickland's subsequent remarks about Gaethje's management appear to represent a continuation and intensification of the conflict, with the middleweight champion drawing a personal line regarding association with Abdelaziz regardless of financial incentive.