Is charismatic UFC welterweight contender Sean Strickland the last American hero? This weekend he fights terrifying undefeated Chechen killing machine Khamzat Chimaev for the UFC world championship. If he wins, immediately he will rival Conor McGregor as the sport’s most famous face.

Given Strickland’s proclivity for at every opportunity saying the most politically incorrect thing imaginable – he has taken lately to calling Chimaev a “goat fucker” – there are many for whom this will be an outrage, presumably not least Paramount, who recently paid $7.7 billion for the rights to broadcast UFC events.

In his own mind, Strickland is a throwback to a time before liberals monkeyed with prevailing Western cultural values. Naturally, he’s a longstanding fan of President Trump – “he’s the fucking man” – although he has been consistent in his denunciations of America’s war with Iran and support for Israel.

Strickland calls fist fighting “the man dance” and spends his spare time indulging in time honored redneck hobbies like riding motorbikes and firing guns in the desert. He teases people for being gay – even if they’re not – and believes there are only two genders. He’s also professed to being unconvinced allowing women to vote has done much to advance society. Certainly, he’s unafraid to ruffle corporate feathers.

“Fuck Nike,” he said from the stage at an event to promote the Chimaev fight. “If Nike want to come give me a logo as they use little Chinese kids to make shoes. Fuck these major companies. If........

© The Spectator