UFC fighter Sean Strickland sparks outrage with sexist comments on Ronda Rousey-Gina Carano battle, says 'No one gives a ... about women’s sports'

UFC fighter Sean Strickland has sparked backlash after making sexist comments about the historic fight between Ronda Rousey and Gina Carano. Strickland’s remarks, shared publicly, quickly drew criticism from fans and fighters alike, with many accusing him of disrespecting women’s MMA and downplaying the significance of the bout. The Rousey-Carano fight is widely seen as a key moment in the growth of women’s Mixed Martial Arts, helping bring it to a new level.

Former UFC bantamweight champion Rousey is set to make a historic return to MMA for the first time in nearly a decade. Rousey will take on fellow combat sports trailblazer Carano on May 16 at the Intuit Dome in Inglewood, California. The highly anticipated matchup will be contested at 145 pounds in the featherweight division and will be fully sanctioned, taking place under the Unified Rules of MMA.



Strickland made the remarks on Wednesday during a Paramount+ and UFC media day, claiming that women have been empowered 'too much' and that it has 'ruined society', according to Variety. The appearance was part of promotional duties for his upcoming fight against Anthony Hernandez on Saturday night. The bout marks Sean Strickland’s first fight since serving a suspension issued in July 2025, after he attacked another fighter while acting as a cornerman during a UFC event.


When asked about Netflix’s planned MMA matchup between Rousey and Carano, Strickland dismissed the idea as 'insane' and made a provocative comment suggesting they fight 'half naked', reported Variety. He then made a joke referencing Rousey’s past abusive relationship with her former boyfriend, drawing further criticism for the remark.

"Ronda Rousey can fight," Strickland said. "That b.... can fight... I think she lost a few fights to her ex, but b… can fight."

"I like Gina. She’s like super conservative. She was hot, you know. I was like a kid when she fought," Strickland said of Carano as quoted by Variety.

The former UFC middleweight champion went on to claim that 'no one gives a f… about women’s sports', a remark that added to the growing backlash against his comments, adding, "There’s nothing wrong with women. They do great things. They cook, they clean."


In August 2025, Paramount signed a seven-year agreement with TKO Group, making Paramount+ the exclusive US streaming home for all UFC events.

On the men’s MMA front, the UFC heads back to Texas this weekend for a major Fight Night event topped by former champion Strickland. UFC Fight Night 267 is set for February 21 (Saturday) and will stream live on Paramount+ from the Toyota Center in Houston.

The event marks the UFC’s 10th visit to Houston and its first appearance in the city in four years. In the five-round middleweight main event, Strickland will step into the Octagon against rising contender Anthony Hernandez.

The bout headlines a UFC Fight Night card and represents the second time the promotion’s Fight Night series will air on Paramount+. Strickland enters the matchup with a 29-7 professional MMA record, while Hernandez brings momentum with a 15-2 mark, setting the stage for a high-profile showdown.