UFC star Sean Strickland has always been outspoken about his political beliefs, no matter how controversial they might be. But he has now taken it to a new level.
This week, the UFC star shared an AI-generated video that showed him in the ring beating up prominent transgender social media influencer Dylan Mulvaney, who went viral in 2023 following her partnership with Bud Light, which ignited conservative outrage.
Who is Dylan Mulvaney?
Dylan Mulvaney is a transgender TikTok influencer who went viral documenting her gender transition through a series called “Days of Girlhood,” which gained more than a billion views on social media.
In 2023, she partnered with Bud Light on a sponsored post featuring a customized can with her face. Conservative backlash was immediate and massive as boycotts followed, Bud Light sales dropped nearly 30%, and the brand lost its spot as America’s top-selling beer. Anheuser-Busch largely distanced itself from the campaign, but the damage was swift and obvious.
Mulvaney faced death threats and said she feared for her physical safety, but she’s since landed on the 2024 Forbes 30 Under 30 list and has continued to partner with major brands like Nike, Kate Spade, and others.
Strickland ‘Beats Up’ Mulvaney
In a video shared to social media this week, Strickland posted an AI-generated video that shows him beating up Mulvaney in a ring in an apparent protest of Pride Month, which takes place throughout June.
The video was framed as a fake Bud Light ad in an apparent reference to Mulvaney’s Bud Light partnership.
“Ive yet to see one rainbow flag. We’re back!!!” Strickland said in the caption of the post on Instagram.
Strickland then took to X to express his support for United States President Donald Trump, saying that Trump has made June “far less gay.”
“Say what you want about Trump but June has got far less gay,” Strickland wrote in a post on X.
Strickland Faces Backlash
Needless to say, Strickland faced some heavy criticism after posting the video.
“Spending this much time obsessed with someone else’s life during pride month is a weird way to spend a day,” one person wrote in a comment on X.
“Why is he bothered so much about someone else’s sexuality,” someone else added.
“This is grotesque. Totally wrong. Violence against trans is not a good thing, whether dressed as a woman or not. Totally against the ethics of fair fights which require fighting your own size not beating up on some skinny troubled kid,” another person wrote.
“Obsessing over others sexuality or how they live their life speaks volumes,” someone else added.
For now, the original video remains up on Instagram.
About Dave Kelsey
Contributing author to The Comeback.