Sean Strickland suspension extended after attacking fighter in cage at Las Vegas event

23/07/2025 18:39

Ex-UFC champ Sean Stricklandremains suspended, and he'll have to wait until at least August for resolution on his discipline for attacking a fighter at a Tuff-N-Uff event in Las Vegas in June.

On Wednesday, the Nevada Athletic Commission voted unanimously to extend Strickland's suspension, which was initially issued on July 3, and he'll remain suspended until a full disciplinary hearing or adjudication agreement is reached. That hearing won't happen until at least August when the commission reconvenes for a monthly meeting.

"In connection with the June 29, 2025 contest held in Las Vegas, NV, which the respondent was not participating in as a combatant," Nevada deputy attorney general Matthew Feeley said during the meeting. "The respondent engaged in a physical altercation with a contestant immediately after the contestant's bout."

The altercation was Strickland jumping in the cage and attacking Luis Hernandez following a standing guillotine choke submission over Miles Hunsinger. After his win, Hernandez taunted Hunsinger's coaches, which included Strickland, with the "crotch chop" made famous in professional wrestling.

A second later, Strickland came rushing into the cage alongside fellow UFC fighter Chris Curtis, who was also part of Hunsinger's corner. Strickland punched Hernandez and threw another punch as security rushed into the cage to separate the fighters.

As a result and because he was a licensed cornerman for the fight, Strickland is facing potential punishment for the attack on Hernandez.

Strickland remains suspended at least through August when the commission could potentially rule on a punishment, which includes a lengthier suspension as well as fines.

While under suspension, the UFC won't book Strickland for a fight, especially not until he reaches a possible adjudication agreement with the commission and that's approved at a future hearing.

Until then, Strickland remains out of action awaiting his punishment from the commission.

For his part, Hernandez said he held no ill will towards Strickland for the attack and actually advocated on his behalf about not receiving any punishment for the incident.

"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,'" Hernandez said. "I would never want anything to happen to these guys because I actually like them, and I hope they watch this. I have nothing against Sean, nothing against Chris, nothing against Xtreme Couture. I like those guys. ...

"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."