Sean Strickland slams Edmonton, talks Alberta separatism in Canada before UFC Edmonton

Sean Strickland appears to have taken aim at Edmonton and Alberta, stoking controversy with his Canada trip. 

His remarks come ahead of the UFC Edmonton event -- headlined by Joaquin Buckley and Mike Malott -- which takes place on October 17.

"Tarzan" slammed Edmonton over its apparent drug addiction crisis. He also referenced "Rise of Alberta," a prominent outfit promoting the Alberta separatism movement. 

Sean Strickland's recent UFC debacle, speculation over next MMA fight

Sean Strickland has often found himself in hot water over his socio-political and miscellaneous assertions made over various topics.

His critics have time and again emphasized that he has a penchant for making bigoted and incendiary remarks. Meanwhile, his supporters consistently argue that he speaks his mind, his controversial stances notwithstanding. 

Strickland has, as of late, been quite vocal about his discontent over the pay accorded to him by the UFC. He reportedly signed a new multi-fight deal with the MMA organization earlier this year. 

The reigning UFC middleweight champion was rumored to be set to defend his belt in a rematch against Nassourdine Imavov at UFC 335 on December 12. Nevertheless, his pay dispute with the UFC and public comments about wanting to leave the organization have caused fans to speculate about when he'll finally return to the Octagon and defend the middleweight title. 

Sean Strickland slams Edmonton, cites Alberta separatism before UFC Edmonton in Canada

Taking to his official X handle, Sean Strickland appeared to lightheartedly suggest that he'd participate in a Rise of Alberta event, promoting separatism for the province of Alberta to split from the nation of Canada. 

Some analysts have opined that the Alberta separatist movement could precipitate Alberta's eventual integration into the United States of America. Alternatively, Canadian supporters have slammed the movement, with many accusing U.S. authorities of overt and covert expansionism. 

Needless to say, the sensitive geopolitical issue receiving fuel from a public personality's supposed support, as Strickland seemed to do, has sparked backlash for him. 

Reacting to a Rise for Alberta post on X, Strickland noted, "Let's goooo!! Should be done with the UFC by 4. I'm going to try to make this!" 

Lets goooo!!! Should be done with the UFC by 4. Im going to try to make this! 👏 👏 👏

— Sean Strickland (@SStricklandMMA) October 13, 2026

Moreover, he sounded off against the city of Edmonton. Strickland wrote, "Well update on Edmonton..." He added, "Left downtown and yep this place is a trash can. Zombies everywhere..." Strickland further suggested that it wasn't as bad as an American region of that ilk, where he'd have to "k*ll" a drug addict, but it was still an "open drug market with zero police." 

Moreover, Strickland seemingly took aim at the authorities in Edmonton, writing, "Edmonton. We love our drug addicts and hate our taxpayers..." 

The American fighter indicated that business owners spend their lives trying to build a business, but the Edmonton system hurts the business by placing a number of drug addicts right in front of it. He even jibed that the mayor ought to spend their term living among the addicts who, he insinuated, inconvenienced local taxpayers. 

The 35-year-old indicated that the deemed conservatives state that people should end drug addiction by utilizing mass incarceration and employing severe punishment against those who sell hard drugs.

Strickland further signaled that the deemed liberal socio-political class argues that drug addiction must be ended by means of decriminalization and allocating zones where people could indulge in drug use freely. He added, "Liberals love drug addiction." 

Check out the screenshots of some of Sean Strickland's X posts before UFC Edmonton below: