UFC Middenweight Competent Sean Strickland has expressed the opposition against the pressure campaign of the Federal Communications Commission against ABC that led to the indefinite suspension of Jimmy Kimmel late at night. The controversial hunter defended the principles of freedom of expression while the government interference in the broadcast programming decisions denounced.
Strickland shared his position on multiple social media messages and stated that although he has no personal affection for Kimmel, the FCC exceeded its authority in the situation. “Unpopular Take but the FCC switched with Jimmy Kimmel … he was not canceled. ABC was threatened by FCC chairman appointed by Trump on a podcast,” Stricklandland written.
The 33-year-old resident of California, who currently owns the number three ranking in the UFC Middleweight Division, emphasized that government agencies should not serve as political weapons. “F*CK Jimmy Kimmel, but the government should not be used as a political weapon,” he added to his first explanation.
Background about the controversy
The dispute comes from comments that Jimmy Kimmel made during his television broadcast on Monday evening with regard to the murder of conservative activist Charlie Kirk. Kirk, the 31-year-old founder of Turning Point USA, was deadly shot by the 22-year-old Tyler Robinson during a campus event at Utah Valley University on 10 September 2025.
During his monologue, Kimmel criticized what he called ‘De Maga Gang’ because he tried to distance himself from the shooter and stated that they ‘desperately tried to characterize this boy who killed Charlie Kirk as something other than one of them’. Judicial documents later revealed that Robinson had shifted to left -wing political views and was aimed at Kirk because of his conservative messages.
FCC chairman Brendan Carr’s response
FCC chairman Brendan Carr, who was appointed to lead the committee by President Trump In November 2024 on Wednesday appeared on the podcast of conservative commentator Benny Johnson to tackle Kimmel’s comments. Carr characterized the comments of the host as ‘really sick’ and presented potential regulatory action for ABC and her parent company Disney.
“We can do this in the easy way or in the hard way,” Carr warned during the performance of the podcast. “These companies can find ways to take action on Kimmel or there will be extra work for the FCC ahead”.
The 46-year-old FCC chairman has served the committee since 2012 and has contributed to the policy document of the Conservative project 2025. His approach is an important shift in how the FCC carries out its regulatory authority in relation to temporary debt licensees.
Industry and political reaction
ABC then announced the indefinite suspension of “Jimmy Kimmel Live!” without giving specific reasoning for the decision. The choice of the network immediately criticized legislators and proponents of freedom of expression that characterized it as capitulation for political pressure.
President Trump praised ABC’s action and wrote about Truth Social that it represented “Great news for America” and claimed that Kimmel had ended because of bad reviews. Some leaders called for the resignation of CARR and accused him of corrupt abuse of power.
Sean Strickland’s position about the government overs range
The UFC veteran has built up a reputation for pronounced commentary on political and social issues during his career. Strickland, born in Anaheim, California, conquered a difficult childhood characterized by domestic violence to become a professional mixed martial artist in 2008. He won the UFC Middenweight Championship in September 2023 before he lost it to Dricus du Plessis in January 2024.
Legal and constitutional care
Legal scientists noted that although the FCC maintains the authority to regulate temporary employment holders under the “Public Interest” standard set by the 1934 Communications Act, this authority has constitutional limitations. The agency’s own website acknowledges that “the public interest is best served by allowing free speech” instead of suppressing speech.
The controversy has raised questions about the approach of the Trump administration for media regulation and the right limits of FCC authority. Critics claim that the use of regulatory pressure to influence the programming decisions is a dangerous precedent for government control over temporary employment content.
Brendan Carr
Brendan Carr is considered a narrow ally of Donald Trump. Trump first appointed Carr to the Federal Communications Commission as a Republican Commissioner in 2017 during his first presidency. In November 2024, Trump then increased Carr to chairman of the FCC, and called him “a warrior for freedom of expression,” and praised him as someone who “fought against the regulatory legislation that stifles the freedoms of Americans.”
Recently Trump publicly praised the aggressive approach to media regulation of Carr and said: “I think Brendan Carr is excellent. He is a patriot. He loves our country, and he is a tough guy” answer To Carr’s actions against Jimmy Kimmel.
CARR prescribed the FCC chapter Project 2025The policy blue pressure of the Conservative Heritage Foundation for a second Trump administration. In his chapter he outlined plans to “start Big Tech” and to regulate what he characterized as a censorship of technology and media companies. This contribution significantly increased its profile in conservative circles and demonstrated his coordination with Trump’s policy agenda.
Since he has become FCC chairman, CARR has followed research and actions that Trumps declared grievances against media companies closely mirroring. He has regulatory action against broadcasters that threatens air content critical from Trump.
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