Sean Strickland was handed a suspension by Nevada athletic authorities after an altercation in June during the Tuff-N-Uff 145 event. The incident occurred when Strickland, acting as a corner person for fighter Miles Hunsinger, reacted aggressively after Luis Hernandez, Hunsinger’s opponent, taunted him inside the cage. This led Strickland to leave his corner area and physically confront Hernandez during the fight.
The situation attracted attention, especially because Luis Hernandez is also a police officer. Strickland reportedly felt provoked by Hernandez’s continuous taunts throughout the match, prompting his aggressive response that resulted in his suspension. The Sean Strickland suspension incident has since sparked a range of reactions from fighters and insiders within the mixed martial arts community.
Krzysztof Jotko Reflects on His Fight and Relationship with Sean Strickland
Krzysztof Jotko, a former UFC middleweight competitor who once faced Strickland, recently shared his perspective on the suspension during an appearance on Bowks Talking Bouts. Jotko recalled his own challenging fight against Strickland, during which he was battling illness, including severe stomach issues and acid reflux. Despite not being in optimal health, Jotko lost the decision but acknowledged that Strickland’s performance was impressive and consistent with his previous fights.
“Yeah, I saw. I saw those, yeah. Yeah, when I was fighting with Strickland, I was not 100%. I was little sick. Not little, I was actually very sick with my stomach. I was vomit[ing] a lot and I have acid reflux. I can’t eat too much. So I was not in a good, good shape fighting with him and I lose the decision.” —Krzysztof Jotko
“But you know, I don’t want to say it’s excuse or something. Maybe I lose the same if I were in a good shape. But at least he don’t knock me out like five people before. So this was good. After my fight, a couple months later Strickland, he come to our gym because he have a fight with Alex Pereira. So he come down to our gym, train with Artem Levin.” —Krzysztof Jotko
Jotko also described how Strickland later visited his training gym to prepare for a fight against Alex Pereira, where he worked with Artem Levin, a notable kickboxing champion. Jotko emphasized Strickland’s candid personality and genuine nature, referencing his unusual but memorable demeanor both inside and outside the cage.
Jotko Shares His Thoughts on the Suspension and Strickland’s Behavior
Delving deeper into the recent cage storming event, Jotko expressed support for the disciplinary action taken against Strickland. He acknowledged that while Strickland’s reaction was extreme, it reflected his intense and unpredictable character, especially when provoked. Jotko highlighted the importance of maintaining professionalism during broadcasts, given the public nature of these events and the potential consequences of such behavior.
“Artem Levin, he was like a kickboxer, Glory champion. He beat Alex Pereira I think two times. So Strickland, come there and train with us a little bit, train with him. He’s a really, really funny guy and this s**t what he talk in the internet is not, he not lying. He not lie, this what it is.” —Krzysztof Jotko
“He is like this and of course this accident [is] going to happen if someone show some dick or whatever was happens there in the cage to Strickland. You know what I mean? He’s crazy, of course he gonna go jump on you. I think like they suspended him I think was good, you know. Like you can’t do this, you know, it’s TV or whatever.” —Krzysztof Jotko
Jotko also found humor in Strickland’s post-incident behavior, mentioning how the fighter’s awkward walk after storming the cage amused fellow fighters like Renato Moicano, who discussed the event on a podcast. Jotko painted the picture of Strickland’s unique personality shining through even in tense moments.
“You can’t just go there and try to beat up someone. But I need to say he was very funny [laughs]. Very funny when he get up and walk there. He [Strickland] walk like a old motherf***er, you know. Yeah, Moicano, even Renato Moicano, he was talking about this in his podcast like he was so funny. He get up and he was walking like his leg hurts or something. You know what I’m talking about, the moment? Yeah, this is so fun.” —Krzysztof Jotko
Incident Details and Broader MMA Community Reaction
The altercation took place after Miles Hunsinger submitted Luis Hernandez, with Strickland coming to Hunsinger’s defense by entering the cage abruptly. Social media reaction was swift, as fight analyst Parry Punch tweeted footage highlighting Strickland’s punch against Hernandez, drawing attention to the fighter’s volatile response and the unusual circumstance of striking a police officer during the confrontation.
Strickland’s decision to involve himself physically, despite acting as a coach and corner man, raised questions about acceptable conduct during fight events. The Nevada athletic commission’s decision to suspend him underscores the seriousness with which these incidents are treated, balancing fighter safety and professionalism.
What This Means Moving Forward in MMA Circles
The Sean Strickland suspension incident serves as a reminder of the intense emotions and high stakes involved in mixed martial arts competitions. Fighters and their teams operate under significant pressure, but maintaining boundaries remains essential to the sport’s integrity. As reactions from peers like Jotko indicate, there is some sympathy for Strickland’s mindset, yet a clear acknowledgment that his actions had consequences.
Looking ahead, the MMA community will likely observe how Strickland and others involved respond to the suspension, and whether this incident prompts further discussions or policy revisions regarding fighter conduct during events. For Strickland, rebuilding reputation and controlling impulse during heated moments will be crucial as he continues his career both inside and outside the cage.