Sean Strickland breaks silence after rushing into Tuff-N-Uff cage to punch Luis Hernandez

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Sean Strickland has broken his silence following his cage invasion at Tuff-N-Uff 145, where he punched Luis Hernandez after a post-fight altercation.

The former UFC middleweight champion was in the corner for teammate Miles Hunsinger, who lost by submission to Luis Hernandez. Moments after the fight, Hernandez directed taunts and an obscene gesture toward Strickland and fellow cornerman Chris Curtis – prompting both to rush into the cage.

Strickland was clearly enraged and threw punches at Hernandez before the referee intervened. The moment went viral on social media and led to widespread criticism of the 34-year-old fighter.

Sean Strickland says he couldn’t ignore Hernandez’s offences

Strickland took to his Instagram story this week to offer his perspective on the incident, saying it wasn’t just about the insult – it was something he felt he couldn’t ignore.

“So, after the fight, you guys see me corner guys all the time. I’m the first one to shake their hand and say, ‘I wish you well, on to the next one.’ But after the fight, this guy comes up to me, calls me by name, ‘Strickland,’ calls me a b****, says he’s going to f*** me up,” Strickland said.

“Does the hand gesture…as a man, I’m not capable not to answer that. If I walk down the street, if I leave my house and somebody says that, my soul will not allow that to not go unanswered. I cannot do it, I cannot f****** do it.

“If I could go back, would I just not corner the fight? Would I not put myself in that situation? Yes.

“But I just don’t have the ability to let a man talk to me like that. Who I am as a person, I will never allow that. So it is what it is, man.”

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Strickland faces possible suspension after NSAC review

Tuff-N-Uff 145 was a Nevada State Athletic Commission (NSAC)-sanctioned event, so Strickland could face disciplinary action. The commission has not issued a statement yet, but a suspension is reportedly under consideration.

Strickland hasn’t fought since his middleweight title challenge against Dricus du Plessis at UFC 312, and this incident could further delay his return.