UFC champion Sean Strickland turns on Trump as president weighs up dramatic action against Iran
Former UFC Champion Sean Strickland has made his stance on the United States' involvement in the ongoing conflict between Israel and Iran clear.
US president Donald Trump reportedly is weighing up whether to join Israel in striking Iranian nuclear sites, it emerged earlier on Tuesday.
But Strickland, who has previously expressed his support of the president, hit out as he suggested Trump was neglecting the wishes of those who elected him to office.
The 34-year-old replied to a social media post from Trump, in which the Commander-in-Chief had boasted about the US military taking 'complete and total control over the skies of Iran.'
'America doesn't want to be involved in Israel's war...... This is not our war. We don't want it. You were elected by the people. Listen to the people who elected you. WE DO NOT WANT THIS!!!!' Strickland wrote in response.
The former middleweight champion has previously backed Trump, offering his support after the president survived an assassination attempt during a rally in Butler, Pennsylvania last year.
The fighter turned on the president as he insisted the USA didn't want to be involved
Trump has also been in attendance at several of Strickland's fights in the Octagon, while the fighter publicly declared his support for Trump after a win over Paulo Costa at UFC 302 in June 2024.
However, this isn't the first time Strickland has expressed doubt in Trump's administration since he returned to the Oval Office in January.
Strickland was equally vocal against the US's involvement in the conflict in the Middle East back in February amid reports of a deal for Trump to sell $8 billion worth of arms to Israel.
'Man if Trump keeps this bs up I'm about to start waving a Palestinian flag.. American cities are shitholes and you wanna go spend billions on this dumpster fire.. Did we make a mistake?! This ain't America first..' Strickland wrote on X at the time.
Strickland's outrage comes after former MLB star Zack Cozart declared he would no longer support Trump if he leads America into war.
'If Trump gets us in a war, I will no longer support him, and I'm sure most of you know I love Trump,' Cozart said on X.
Coazrt previously expressed support for Trump in lead-up to his November election victory over Kamala Harris to re-take the White House.
Both Israel and Iran launched fresh strikes at each other overnight, with Iranian state TV eerily warning of 'a surprise tonight that the world will remember'.
Residents in Tel Aviv were seen running for shelter as missiles rained down on the city and the Iron Dome sprang into action.
Earlier, Iranian Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei issued a chilling cryptic warning, saying: 'In the name of the noble Haidar, the battle begins.'
Haidar is an alternative name for Imam Ali, the fourth Muslim caliph and a revered figure in Shia Islam.
Speculation of a US strike on Iran had already been mounting amid reports the American military is deploying more fighter aircraft to the Middle East.
Trump yesterday urged Iran's 'UNCONDITIONAL SURRENDER' as the fifth day of conflict between the two arch foes raged on.
He also issued a death threat to Khamenei, and said the U.S. knows where he is hiding but doesn't want him killed 'for now.'
'We know exactly where the so-called "Supreme Leader" is hiding,' the U.S. President wrote on Truth Social.
'He is an easy target, but is safe there - We are not going to take him out (kill!), at least not for now.
'But we don't want missiles shot at civilians, or American soldiers. Our patience is wearing thin.'
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