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UFC middleweight Sean Strickland has continued to berate UFC middleweight champion Israel Adesanya. 'Tarzan' has taken aim (again) at Adesanya for being a fan of anime.
The 31-year-old shared an image on his Instagram story with an erotic clip from an anime show. The American has demanded that the middleweight division needs a "better class of champ" and not one that "beats off" to anime.
Sean Strickland is no stranger to making outlandish remarks regarding the New Zealander either. In a recent interview with The Schmo, Strickland admitted that he liked Adesanya but then proceeded to slander the champion because he's a passionate fan of anime. He said:
"He might be the champ, but by July 2nd, he might not be the champ anymore. No man, I like Izzy. Besides the anime, I like Izzy. He's a tough motherf***er. Besides the anime, the guy probably jerks off to cartoons. I hold that against you. I guarantee you, Izzy, you have jerked off to cartoons once in your life. Don't f***ing lie to me. That needs to be said."
'Tarzan' will appear on the same card as Adesanya at UFC 276 in July, where he will face Alex Pereira in an already dubbed No.1-contender clash. Strickland is currently ranked No.4 in the division, including riding an impressive six-fight win streak.
Alex Pereira, Strickland's future opponent, has some history with 'Izzy'. Both men were kick-boxers before signing onto the UFC and have fought each other twice in kickboxing bouts. Pereira got the better of the middleweight champion on both occasions, winning via decision and by a flush left hook knockout respectively. It remains the only knock-out loss of Adesanya's entire fight career.
Catch Sean Strickland's interview with The Schmo here:
Sean Strickland banned from Twitter after transphobic rant
Just before June, which is World Pride Month, Strickland was banned from Twitter. Although often outspoken and known for not holding his tongue, a recent tirade on social media has forced Twitter to take action and temporarily suspend the middleweight's account.
A series of now removed posts from 'Tarzan' drew immediate attention as he referred to members of the LGBTQ+ community as having a "mental retardation".
In the now removed posts, the 31-year-old wrote:
"I'M ACTUALLY A FAN OF PRIDE MONTH.. BIG FAN OF THE B IN LGBT LMAO!!! TRANS PEOPLE THOUGH GOD I CAN'T F**KING STAND TRANS PEOPLE.. HAS TO BE SOME FORM OF MENTAL RETARDATION…"
Strickland followed up the post, adding:
"IF YOU HAVE A C**K AND BALLS, EVEN IF YOU REMOVE THEM YOU WILL NEVER BE A F**KING WOMAN BOTTOM LINE. I DON'T GIVE A F**K IF YOU GROW YOUR HAIR OUT AND CUT YOUR C**K OFF. YOU WILL ALWAYS BE A NUTLESS MENTALLY ILL MAN BOTTOM LINE."
Sean Strickland's Twitter account remains suspended to this day. Although the fighter still regularly posts on his Instagram account, he has revealed that he has often been removed from that platform too.
MMA fans can check out the video below for other updates:
