'Higher-ups called me' - UFC star says he's been banned from White House event after controversial comments

Controversial UFC star Sean Strickland has claimed he has been banned from attending the historic White House card on June 14.

On Donald Trump's 80th birthday, UFC's biggest ever card emanates from the White House to celebrate the 250th anniversary of the United States.

The South Lawn has had a special Octagon constructed for a total of seven fights, including the lightweight title main event between Ilia Topuria and Justin Gaethje.

Another high-profile bout sees Alex Pereira and Ciryl Gane lock horns for the interim heavyweight championship.

Members of the military will be in attendance, along with special guests invited by Trump, Dana White and TKO.

However, it's emerged that UFC middleweight champion Strickland will not be welcome.

Strickland, who has a history of controversial comments when it comes to religion, race, gender and sexuality, took to X to claim that he has been banned from attending.

"UFC at the white house with BB in the audience. Straight (Israel flag emoji) slop," Strickland wrote on the social media platform.

In a second reply, he wrote: "To be fair they did ban me... But when you make fun of the leaders of America they tend to be a little petty lol by leaders i mean Israel.

Strickland continued his tirade in a lengthy video he posted on his page, stating that he received a call from "higher-ups" in UFC regarding comments he made.

He issued a sarcastic apology to President Trump and to Israel and its leader Benjamin Netanyahu.

"Well, you guys, I'm not surprised, but I got the call," Strickland started in a video posted on X

"I got the call. UFC higher-ups called me, big names. They said, 'Sean, I got to apologize, but you're not Israeli enough to go to UFC 250: Israel edition. The White House didn't clear you.' "I'm not really surprised. So, I think moving forward, I would like to just apologize to Israel. I'd like to say I'm sorry, you know?

"I'd like to apologize to Trump. I just want to prove that I'm Israeli enough for you guys. For instance, whenever the list disappeared and Trump goes out there and says to everybody that he can't really go into it because people that, by association, would get prosecuted, and like their names would be tarnished – I want to apologize, because I don't want them to be prosecuted. Or when Trump goes and bombs the f*** out of Iran, that no Americans agree with, that costs Americans $5-15,000 to go fight Israel's war – I want to apologize. Sorry, I've been a critic of that, you know?"

"My allegiance was apparently in the wrong place, and I just want to apologize. Or when Trump goes out there and says, 'Hey Trump, your approval ratings the lower its ever been across all demographics,' and Trump says, 'Well, you know what? I have a 99 percent approval rating in Israel.' I want to apologize, and I want to repent."

Strickland, who beat Khamzat Chimaev via split decision at UFC 238 to become a two-time middleweight champion, did then suggest he would turn up outside at the event with his belt as a protest of sorts.

"Apparently, I'm not American enough to go to Freedom 250, but I still got my ticket," Strickland added.

"So, maybe we'll just go, I'll bring the belt, and we'll just stand outside the gate and we'll just let 'em know what we really think about Trump and Israel, you know?"

READ MORE: 'We couldn't' - Dana White reveals the one fight he failed to make for UFC White House card

Another controversial UFC star was added to White House card after Donald Trump request

While Strickland is seemingly not welcome, another one of the most problematic members of the UFC roster was added to the White House card.

While in atttendance the Kaseya Center for UFC 327 in Miami, Trump called for his favourite fighter Derrick Lewis to be given a match-up.

White listened to his request and decided to pair him up against Josh Hokit, who recorded a ninth straight victory in Miami but has hit headlines for trash talk which has been deemed extremely offensive, racist, xenophobic, misogynistic, and anti-trans.

In a press conference, White said that he "shouldn't have" added an extra fight until Trump made the request but stressed that no more bouts would be added "unless he calls me to tell me to do something else".