NSW Govt. Backs UFC After Sean Strickland Makes Sexist Remarks

Summary:

• UFC 293 will take place in Sydney, Australia on Sep 10
• The Main Event will see champ Israel Adesanya take on Sean Strickland
• Strickland caused controversy on media day making sexist remarks

MMA fans in Australia are excited as UFC 293 is set to take place on Sep 10 at the Sydney Olympic Park in Sydney, New South Wales (NSW).

The pay per view card will be headlined by a Main Event as UFC middleweight champ Israel Adesanya takes on Sean Strickland.

Strickland Causes Controversy On Media Day

Adesanya said in the build-up to UFC 293 that he decided to gift Strickland a title shot after Dricus Du Plessis decided that he would be ready to challenge Adesanya at UFC 293. Adesanya said mid-August that UFC was reluctant initially to give Strickland the ‘idiot’ the title fight as he could end up running his mouth and embarrassing the company in Australia.

The champ called it right as that is precisely what Strickland ended up doing at the press conference and caused controversy for the UFC. He showed up to media day with a t-shirt that read ‘Cancel Me’ and made sexist remarks.

These were some of his remarks

Women don’t need to work, they need to stay home and raise a family, I’ve got to make my own food, fold my own laundry, what is the fucking point?

Earlier in the week, Strickland took to social media to say that he initially expected to be surrounded by trans and gay flags in Australia but was pleasantly surprised.

NSW Government Back UFC Events

Strickland’s comments and views were discussed by the NSW government and condemned. Steve Kamper, Sport Minister said that while they found Strickland’s remarks unacceptable they did not reflect on the UFC or the sport of MMA which was respected and extremely popular in Australia.

Kamper said

The NSW government does not endorse any disrespectful or offensive commentary whether it be from a UFC competitor, a footballer, or a musician.

Leslie Williams who is the shadow minister for women and prevention of domestic violence said

They do not reflect the expectations of Australians. We’re not in the 19th century anymore.

Alex Greenwich, Independent Sydney MP said

Sydney is fully accepting and loving of the LGBTQ community, if Mr Strickland wants to avoid such cities, it’s best he leaves now