Following Dricus Du Plessis' successful title defence against Nigerian-born Israel Adesanya at UFC 305 in Perth on Sunday, former champion Sean Strickland has sparked a race and inequality debate with his comments about South Africa.
The outspoken Strickland, who lost the title to Du Plessis via a split decision in a tight fight in January, is next in line to challenge Du Plessis for the title.
He took to X and described South Africa as a s***t hole country with high levels of inequality.
It's just a fucking shit hole. Flying across the world to go to the most racist violent place on earth... This is not a lie, this is factual.
— Sean Strickland (@SStricklandMMA) August 18, 2024
"It's racist and unequal, you have a small white wealthy minority and a poor black majority.
“It's just a f***ing shit hole. Flying across the world to go to the most racist violent place on earth, this is not a lie, this is factual," said the former middleweight champion.
However, Strickland did not end there, the American fighter said during his visit to South Africa he saw white people living in gated compounds while poor people lived in buildings with no roofs.
"Yeah, and I've seen a bunch of white people living in gated compounds and a bunch of poor people living in buildings with missing walls. orphanages filled with black kids.
“Didn't see one white kid there. Just because you say it's over doesn't make it over"
Yeah and I seen a bunch of white people living in gated compounds and a bunch of poor people living in buildings with missing walls.. orphanages filled with black kids. Didn't see one white kid there. Just because you say it's over doesn't make it over
— Sean Strickland (@SStricklandMMA) August 18, 2024
Following his comments some South Africans hit back at Strickland’s comments with @MMmeiring4 saying the former champion was clueless when it comes to Mzansi.
“But man you have no clue what ur talking about but you sound so dumb talking about South Africa. Maybe go a different route. This one is not for you”
While @TheOldCootBiker said South Africa had more freedom of speech than the US.
“South Africa has more freedom of speech than the USA, no mail in votes and results are counted in 72 hours. The ZAR is appreciating over the USD. You live in the new 3rd World, Sean. Everything is fake in the USA,”.
South Africa has more freedom of speech than the USA, no mail in votes and results are counted in 72 hours. The ZAR is appreciating over the USD. You live in the new 3rd World, Sean. Everything is fake in the USA.
— Brandon Els (@TheOldCootBiker) August 16, 2024
@DubwNsindiso agreed with the American fighter and said the South African economy was controlled by a few.
“You are 100% correct Strickland I live in SA and the economy is controlled by the minority, All the strategic economical sectors are in their hands and the minority own majority of the land. Thanks for shouting the black majorities cause,” he said.
You are 100% correct Strickland I live in SA and the economy is controlled by the minority, All the strategic economical sectors are in their hands and the minority own majority of the land. Thanks for shouting the black majorities cause.
— Nsindiso Dube (@DubwNsindiso) August 19, 2024
IOL Sport