A tense confrontation unfolded at a mixed martial arts training facility when UFC middleweight Chris Curtis discovered that his teammate Sean Strickland had invited Kyle Rittenhouse to their gym.
The heated exchange was captured during Jake Shields’ Fight Back Podcast, revealing significant discord between the two over the controversial guest.
Curtis made his feelings immediately clear when he spotted Rittenhouse at the facility. “Why would you invite this guy? F**k this guy,” Curtis said to Strickland.
The visibly upset contender continued his objection, stating, “You know how I feel. Why would you do this? This is my f**king home, bro. Why would you do this? I would never disrespect you like this.”
The confrontation highlighted deep political divisions within the combat sports community. Curtis, who has been vocal about his progressive political views, compared Rittenhouse’s legal acquittal to that of Bill Cosby, expressing his disagreement with bringing him into their shared training space.
“He’s innocent the same way Bill Cosby is innocent,” Curtis remarked during the exchange.
Strickland, known for his provocative public persona and controversial political stances, appeared to downplay Curtis’s concerns. Other gym members present attempted to defuse the situation, with Strickland later explaining that Curtis had become “very radicalized by the internet” and noting that Curtis had reportedly cried when Donald Trump was elected president.
Strickland talked about their difference, “I love the guy, but like there’s some days, dude, I feel bad for him because I’m like, ‘Dude, like me and you, we’re on the opposite side of the spectrum. Like my true thoughts, bro, if you understood what I truly believe, like you would be f**king calling me like a H**ler, bro. Like I mean like I’m pro ICE. I’m pro Trump. Like If me and you met on the internet, you would f**king hate me.”
Despite the conflict, Strickland maintained his friendship with Curtis while defending his decision to host Rittenhouse.
This incident follows previous controversy within the grappling community when ADCC bronze medalist Dan Manisoiu faced criticism for posting a photograph with Rittenhouse on Instagram after conducting a seminar.
The situation eventually de-escalated, though the fundamental disagreement between Curtis and Strickland remained unresolved.
