Sean Strickland’s indefinite suspension by the Nevada State Athletic Commission (NSAC) has effectively halted his participation in all combat sports, including any potential boxing endeavors. This suspension, issued after an altercation at Tuff-N-Uff 145 in Las Vegas, leaves the former UFC Middleweight Champion unable to compete until the commission makes a final ruling.
Details of the Suspension and Its Wide-Ranging Impact
The suspension came after Strickland, alongside Chris Curtis, engaged in an unsanctioned physical exchange with fighter Luis Hernandez immediately following Hernandez’s victory at Tuff-N-Uff 145. This incident involved Strickland, a prominent figure in the UFC, reacting to Hernandez’s post-fight taunts toward Miles Hunsinger, Strickland’s cornerman.
The NSAC’s indefinite ban does not restrict Strickland solely within UFC events but extends to all competitions governed by regulatory bodies affiliated with or respecting the NSAC’s rulings. This broadly includes mixed martial arts, boxing, and other combat sports worldwide, effectively grounding any ambitions Strickland expressed about transitioning into boxing.
Former UFC referee “Big” John McCarthy clarified this during a discussion on the Weighing In podcast, stating,
“Absolutely not able to fight outside of the UFC. He’s under contract. But he’s also not allowed to fight anywhere where there is a commission, because that suspension from the Nevada State Athletic Commission carries over to every regulatory body there is. So, even the ones you talk about going overseas, you have like, the UFC uses the British mixed martial arts council to regulate the show, like they just did in Abu Dhabi. They would not allow Strickland to fight anywhere over there if they were in charge of the fight. Sean’s not stupid enough to fight outside of his contract. That would be absolute s——-.”
This highlights the severity of the suspension and the limits placed on Strickland’s professional fighting career at large.
Restrictions Extend Beyond MMA to All Combat Sports Including Boxing and Karate Combat
When questioned if the ban applied exclusively to MMA or extended to other fighting disciplines, McCarthy confirmed that Strickland’s suspension barred him from any form of combat sport. This includes boxing and Karate Combat matches, where commissions similarly enforce NSAC disciplinary actions.
McCarthy further clarified concerns about whether Strickland could participate in slap fighting events like PowerSlap, noting,
“Yes. That’s run by the regulation, by the commissions now. So, absolutely. He would not be able to compete in a slap fight. And he can’t do that with his contract with the UFC, anyway.”
This confirms Strickland’s complete exclusion from competitive combat activities until the NSAC resolves his disciplinary case.
Strickland initially sparked interest in a potential boxing debut shortly after his suspension was announced, even teasing fans about an exhibition boxing match. However, BKFC star Jake Bostwick, fresh off a knockout win at BKFC 78, openly challenged Strickland, though the suspension now makes such a match impossible.
Background on the Incident and Reactions from Involved Parties
The incident leading to Strickland’s suspension occurred after Luis Hernandez defeated Miles Hunsinger. Hernandez’s taunts towards Strickland, who was in Hunsinger’s corner, escalated tensions culminating in the unsanctioned fight with Curtis.
Despite the altercation, Hernandez maintains no resentment toward Strickland or the parties involved. In an interview with MMA Fighting, Hernandez expressed a conciliatory attitude, saying,
“I really have nothing towards them, and hope the commission does not… like they even asked me, ‘Hey, you’re gonna press charges?’ I’m like, ‘What? No.’ I would never want anything to happen to these guys because I actually like them, and I hope they watch this.”
He further confirmed,
“I have nothing against Sean, nothing against Chris, nothing against Xtreme Couture. I like those guys.”
Hernandez also emphasized professionalism and the nature of combat sports as entertainment, urging regulatory bodies not to over-penalize, stating,
“I would say we’re all adults here, and I have nothing against them, and I will say this again: I hope the commission does not take this out on them at all because, at the end of the day, we’re all professionals and this is entertainment.”
On the other hand, Strickland expressed frustration at the situation, particularly at the commission’s inaction during the incident. He took to social media to voice his displeasure, posting that there was no warning or penalty issued during Hernandez’s provocations and that even announcers recognized the behavior. Strickland wrote,
“There was no warning. No penalty. They tell merhab to shut up all the time.. Even the announcers were calling it,”
highlighting his view that the commission failed to manage the event properly.
The Uncertain Path Forward for Sean Strickland
The NSAC has yet to announce a date for Strickland’s disciplinary hearing, leaving his future in combat sports unresolved for now. The indefinite nature of the suspension means the former middleweight champion must sit out of all sanctioned competitions both within the UFC and in any other regulated combat sports worldwide.
This suspension not only stalls Strickland’s UFC career but effectively ends any immediate chance for him to pursue boxing, a path many fighters have taken after or alongside MMA careers. Without the lifting of his ban, Strickland’s professional fighting opportunities remain on hold, generating considerable frustration among fans and stakeholders alike.
Given the regulatory bodies’ cooperation in enforcing this suspension globally, Strickland’s options to participate in unsanctioned or overseas events are extremely limited. The prospect of a boxing debut or any competitive fighting seems unlikely until the NSAC rules on his case, which could have a lasting impact on his athletic trajectory.