Strickland Faces Backlash Over Photo Request With Young Fan

In a clip that went viral, Strickland can be seen holding a photo with a little girl and repeatedly gesturing for her to raise her middle finger. The girl remained composed, refusing to follow the request, which led to the moment being dropped and Strickland eventually posing with his hand in his pocket. The footage sparked immediate criticism from fans on X, who questioned his conduct toward a minor and called his insistence “weird” and “stupid.”

This incident echoes a previous controversy involving Strickland’s remarks toward Anthony Hernandez’s daughter during UFC Houston fight week, after which he publicly apologized for his words. The latest backlash highlights growing scrutiny of the former champion’s interactions with young fans.