UFC Stars Clash Over Kyle Rittenhouse Gym Visit in Las Vegas
Controversial UFC fighter Sean Strickland has ignited a furious argument with fellow mixed martial arts star Chris Curtis after bringing Kyle Rittenhouse to their shared training facility in Las Vegas this week. The incident, captured on video and shared across social media platforms, reveals deep political divisions within the combat sports community.
The Controversial Guest
Kyle Rittenhouse became a national political lightning rod during the Black Lives Matter protests of 2020, when he was photographed carrying an AR-15-style rifle during unrest in Kenosha, Wisconsin. During those events, Rittenhouse shot three individuals, resulting in two fatalities. Since being acquitted of all charges four years ago, Rittenhouse has emerged as a symbolic figure for Second Amendment rights advocates and conservative political commentators. He recently returned to social media last month after a period of absence.
Just one month after making his online comeback with a wedding photograph featuring firearms, Rittenhouse appeared at the Xtreme Couture gym in Las Vegas alongside Strickland. In footage posted to Jake Shields' YouTube channel, Strickland introduced Rittenhouse to multiple people within the training facility, referring to him with colourful language that immediately set the tone for the confrontation that followed.
The Heated Confrontation
As Strickland continued making introductions, fellow American UFC competitor Chris Curtis quickly took issue with the twenty-three-year-old's presence in what he considers his professional home. 'Sean, you know how I feel about this s***,' Curtis demanded of Strickland during their tense exchange. He continued with visible frustration: 'Why would you invite this guy? Why would you do this? F*** this guy. He's innocent the same way Bill Cosby is innocent.'
Curtis emphasised their personal relationship while expressing his disappointment: 'Why would you do this, you know, how I feel? You're one of my best friends. Why would you [invite him to] my f***ing home? I would never disrespect you like this.' Strickland offered little immediate response to Curtis's anger during the confrontation, though he later addressed the incident extensively on social media platforms.
Social Media Justifications
Taking to the platform X, the controversial UFC star elaborated on his decision to bring Rittenhouse to their shared training space. Strickland wrote: 'Kyle Rittenhouse is a dorky white kid who was hanging out with a bunch of OLDER WEIRDOS, who wanted to be military larpers... They put him in a bad situation where he shot 3 utter POS in self defense and the world is better for it.'
He acknowledged Curtis's reaction while contextualising it within broader political narratives: 'Curt is a good man. I didnt think Curt would care but that being said I truly cant fault him for his reaction when I think about it. For the lest [sic] 12 years we've been hearing Trump is a nazi and his supporters are nazis, Charlie Kirk, the Trump shooter, its all a byproduct of the media's efforts to radicalize people.'
Strickland concluded with philosophical advice: 'This is just a reminder to live life and dont let politics consume you. It's all one giant manipulation from the right and left... Your twitter thumbs arent going to change the world, try to be happy.'
Rittenhouse's Response
Replying directly to Strickland's post on X, Rittenhouse expressed gratitude for the fighter's support: 'Thanks for saying it like it is. I was a dumb kid thrown into hell, defended my life, got acquitted. Appreciate the real talk, brother. Keep kicking a**. You're a hell of a fighter.'
This public sighting occurred just two weeks after Rittenhouse offered to travel to Minnesota amid unrest following an Immigration and Customs Enforcement officer fatally shooting a woman in Minneapolis. Rittenhouse had questioned his followers: 'After thinking about it, should I travel across the state line to Minnesota?' Federal authorities described the shooting as self-defence, while the city's mayor characterised it as reckless and unnecessary.
The gym confrontation highlights how politically charged figures continue to generate controversy within athletic communities, particularly among training partners with close personal relationships. Strickland and Curtis have been friends and regular training partners for years, making their public disagreement particularly notable within MMA circles.
