NSAC suspends Strickland six months; $5,000 fine; anger-management

The Nevada State Athletic Commission has handed Sean Strickland a six-month suspension and a $5,000 fine, plus additional legal fees, for entering the cage and throwing punches at Luis Hernandez during a TuffNUff event in June. The sanction, announced at a monthly meeting, is retroactive to June 29 and can be shortened to 4.5 months if Strickland completes an approved anger-management program. Chris Curtis, Strickland’s teammate and fellow UFC fighter, was fined $2,500 for his involvement but received no suspension. Strickland has signaled his intent to pursue anger-management training in hopes of shortening the ban and returning to competition later this year.

The incident occurred after Hernandez, who defeated Strickland’s teammate Miles Hunsinger, taunted the corner as the bout progressed. Video showed Strickland entering the cage and throwing punches toward Hernandez, while Curtis grabbed Hernandez during the fracas. The NSAC’s decision also required Strickland to cover the associated legal costs. Hernandez later described the chaos surrounding the incident and explained why he provoked the confrontation, noting that tensions in the moment played a significant role in the...