UFC middleweight champion Sean Strickland admitted he was “an idiot” after surviving an off-road vehicle crash without wearing a helmet.
In one of several posts on Instagram, Strickland revealed that the vehicle was travelling at around 60mph before rolling “around six times”.
The 35-year-old American said he was a passenger in the vehicle, while his friend Chris Cornell was behind the wheel.
Strickland later shared footage showing grazes on his head and back, explaining that his injuries came after his head hit the ground during the crash.
“Guys I’m in a real bad place. I let my buddy drive, he rolled us going like 60 (mph), we rolled like six times. That’s from my head smacking the ground going 60. I didn’t have a helmet on, I’m an idiot.”
Cornell was knocked unconscious during the accident and was taken to hospital. Strickland later posted a picture of his friend giving a thumbs-up from a hospital bed, alongside an X-ray showing a broken bone.
It is unclear whether Strickland himself went to hospital following the crash.
The Las Vegas-based fighter did not reveal the location of the accident, although footage posted shortly before the incident showed him riding in a desert area.
Strickland later updated his followers on his condition, saying he was “a little concussed” but felt well enough to return to training.
“Think I’m OK, Chris is in the hospital but I think he’s going to be alright. It was the most fun I’ve had in a long time. My shoulder’s a little sore.”
Strickland is one of the most outspoken and controversial figures in MMA and has previously faced criticism over homophobic and racist remarks, as well as derogatory comments about women.
He is a two-time UFC middleweight champion after defeating Khamzat Chimaev in May.
