Sean Strickland shares xenophobic tirade: ‘Chinamen are the worst. They’re animals. Barbaric, filthy’

Former undisputed middleweight champion, Sean Strickland has hit the headlines once more this week — this time sharing a brutal, xenophobic tirade against Chinese people, labelling them “animals” and “barbaric.

Strickland, the current number one ranked middleweight challenger, is currently in Salt Lake City ahead of the promotion’s return at UFC 307 this weekend, taking stage in the camp of former foe, Alex Pereira as the Brazilian prepares for a title fight with Khalil Rountree at the end of the week.

Sidelined since he co-headlined UFC 302 back in May, Strickland most recently turned in a dominant split decision win over former title chaser, Paulo Costa in their co-main event bout in New Jersey.

Sean Strickland launches xenophobic rant against Chinese people

And whilst hitting the headlines for his praise of former opponent, Pereira this week, the outspoken middleweight star has been criticized for making xenophobic comments against Chinese people during an interview with Helen Yee.

“Chinamen are the worst,” Sean Strickland said. “They’re animals. Barbaric, filthy, the worst kind of tourists. Japanese and Korean people are the best. I went to Japan in particular and it was a great experience because there were so many nice people there. There are good Asians and bad Asians.”

Expected to return in a championship fight setting in the early goings of next year, Strickland has been heavily linked in recent weeks with a title rematch against the incumbent middleweight gold holder, Dricus du Plessis, calling for a rematch with the South African star off the back of his win over Costa earlier this annum.