UFC middleweight Sean Strickland has once again found himself at the center of controversy, this time over a social media video showing him visiting Popeyes Louisiana Kitchen and making racially charged comments while eating fried chicken.
In the footage, Strickland films himself approaching the fast-food restaurant, explaining his intention to try the chain’s signature menu item. “All right guys, here we are, we’re at the Popeye’s, and I’m a white man, and I don’t know the love of chicken, and I want the love of chicken, so I come to the Popeye’s, y’all,” he says in the video.
The former UFC middleweight champion then makes the comment that has drawn widespread criticism: “Time to experience, experience what a black man experiences.”
Sean Strickland posts a video of him eating fried chicken from Popeyes: “Time to experience what a black man experiences.”pic.twitter.com/3JAywoBbPR
— Joe Rogan Podcast News (@joeroganhq) January 5, 2026
Strickland continues in the video, emphasizing his racial identity multiple times. “And y’all, I’m real white. I’m a white man, dude. I like, I eat sushi and s**t. I’m real white. I’m white trash, but I’m real white. I just want to know what this chicken is all about. I want to get to know this chicken.”
After tasting the food, Strickland offers his verdict. “All right, that’s some damn good chicken. I might be a believer, man. I might be a, I might be a chicken believer. I have some good chicken. I’m a believer now. I get it.”
This latest incident adds to a growing list of controversial moments involving the outspoken fighter. Recently, content creator N3on revealed during a breakfast appearance with UFC welterweight contender Jack Della Maddalena that Strickland had used a racial slur against him during a phone conversation.
“I talked to him on the phone. He called me a dirty Indian,” N3on stated plainly during the livestream. When asked to elaborate, he confirmed the comment and added, “So, I don’t know. I don’t think he likes me.”
Della Maddalena responded with an understated assessment of Strickland’s character. “No, he’s a bit nasty, I reckon,” the Australian competitor said, adding that “he’s a crazy guy.”
Former UFC light heavyweight champion Quinton ‘Rampage’ Jackson also recently shared his perspective after meeting Strickland during a video appearance. Jackson suggested that Strickland may be on the autism spectrum based on his unfiltered communication style.
“I’m gonna go on here and say something wrong with Strickland. Something wrong with him, autism or something. No, real talk,” Jackson stated candidly. He noted that Strickland appeared to say whatever came to mind without typical social filters, even while reportedly under suspension from the UFC.
“He was saying a couple of words I thought was banned,” Jackson explained, expressing disbelief at Strickland’s lack of restraint. “Damn, I was like, this motherf**ker, there might be some autism there. Anything that comes to his mind, like what he like or don’t like about somebody.”
Jackson contrasted this behavior with his own approach to public communication. “My mama told me, if you don’t got nothing nice to say about somebody, don’t say nothing at all. Y’all know what I’m saying?” he reflected, acknowledging that while he jokes with friends privately, Strickland’s public candor operates on a different level entirely.
“Strickland, bro, that motherf**ker say what’s on his motherf**king mind,” Jackson observed.
Throughout his UFC career, Strickland has built a reputation for provocative statements and unconventional behaviour that frequently generate headlines.
