On June 29, 2025, at Tuff-N-Uff 145 in Las Vegas, former UFC middleweight champion Sean Strickland, acting as a cornerman, jumped into the cage and punched fighter Luis Hernandez after Hernandez taunted his team following a win. The Nevada State Athletic Commission (NSAC) issued a six-month suspension, a $5,000 fine, and $157.04 in legal fees on August 21, 2025. Strickland can cut the suspension to 4.5 months by completing an anger management course.
NSAC’s Statement
Commission chairman Dallas Haun said:
“Sean Strickland stepped forward. He made this process easy. He apologized for his behavior. We appreciate someone stepping up, owning something and then a resolution could be come to quickly and with all parties in agreement. So again, our thanks to Mr. Strickland. He made a mistake and he’s owned it and we appreciate that.” via MMAFighting
Strickland’s Response
Strickland addressed the punishment on Instagram, writing:
“Ready to put this to bed and get back in the cage. Can’t have a terrorist as a champion, sadly I think Im the only one to change that. Appreciate the commission for getting this done.. Anger management here I come.”
His “terrorist” comment likely targets UFC middleweight champion Khamzat Chimaev, signaling his desire to return and challenge for the title.
Strickland was cornering teammate Miles Hunsinger, who lost to Luis Hernandez via second-round guillotine choke at Tuff-N-Uff 145. After the win, Hernandez made a provocative crotch-chop gesture toward Hunsinger’s corner, including Strickland and UFC fighter Chris Curtis. Strickland rushed the cage, landing at least one punch on Hernandez. Curtis entered but didn’t strike anyone, receiving a $2,500 fine and a reprimand without suspension. Hernandez later said he held no ill will and hoped Strickland wouldn’t face punishment.
Sean Strickland began MMA in 2008, going 9-0 before joining the UFC in 2014. His UFC record is 15-7, with wins over Israel Adesanya (2023), Paulo Costa (2024), and Jack Hermansson (2022). He won the middleweight title at UFC 293 on September 10, 2023, upsetting Adesanya via unanimous decision, but lost it to Dricus Du Plessis at UFC 297 on January 20, 2024. His last fight was a unanimous decision loss to Du Plessis in a rematch at UFC 312 on February 8, 2025.
The NSAC’s ruling aligns with past penalties for fighter misconduct, such as Khabib Nurmagomedov’s nine-month suspension and $500,000 fine for attacking Conor McGregor’s team at UFC 229, and Arman Tsarukyan’s nine-month suspension and $25,000 fine for punching a fan at UFC 300. The NSAC praised Strickland’s accountability, but the incident underscores the need for professionalism in MMA.
The suspension, retroactive to June 29, 2025, runs until December 29, 2025, or mid-October if Strickland completes anger management. It bars him from fighting or cornering in Nevada, delaying his UFC return.
