Topics: Sean Strickland, UFC, MMA
Former UFC champion Sean Strickland has been handed a ban and a fine for a controversial moment involving a fellow UFC star.
Nearly two years after he produced one of the biggest upsets in the history of MMA and claimed the UFC middleweight title after beating Israel Adesanya, Strickland is still making headlines.
The American later lost his title during his first defence against South Africa's Dricus du Plessis, who recently lost the belt in a fight with Khamzat Chimaev at the United Center in Chicago, Illinois.
Since then, Strickland secured a win over Paulo Costa in June last year before losing a title rematch with Du Plessis back in February.
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But now, the 34-year-old faces a period away from the octagon as he has been handed a ban and a five-figure fine for a controversial incident earlier this year.
When he isn't fighting himself, Strickland also works as a cornerman for some of his teammates from the Xtreme Couture gym in Las Vegas, Nevada.
Recently, he was doing just that as fellow middleweight Miles Hunsinger was facing Luis Hernandez at a Tuff-N-Uff event in June.
Unfortunately for Strickland and his teammate, Hernandez was declared the winner of the bout after securing a submission via a standing guillotine choke in the second round.
But it was what happened after the fight that has caused issues for Strickland, as the American decided to step into the octagon himself and attack Hernandez after the Florida-based fighter taunted Hunsinger.
Fellow UFC fighter and Xtreme Couture member Chris Curtis also stormed Hernandez, although Strickland was the only one seen on camera throwing punches.
As a consequence of the controversial incident, Strickland has been suspended from fighting by the Nevada State Athletic Commission (NASC) for six months and handed a fine of £3,730 ($5,000) plus legal fees.
However, the NASC have agreed to reduce the UFC fighter's suspension to four-and-a-half months if Strickland completes an anger management course.
"He apologised for his behaviour," explained NSAC chairman Dallas Haun.
"We appreciate someone stepping up, owning something and then a resolution could be come to quickly and with all parties in agreement."
Meanwhile, Curtis was fined £1,860 for his involvement in the incident, but avoided a suspension.
