A UFC star shared a fake video of himself beating up a trans influencer.
Sean Strickland shared an AI-generated clip targeting Dylan Mulvaney to mark the start of Pride Month.
When famous athletes use technology to show violence against minorities, it shows how easily online hate can feel real. This post by a cage fighter has sparked fresh anger over how public figures treat trans people online.
WHAT HAPPENED
UFC fighter Sean Strickland started June by posting a fake video on social media. The computer-made clip shows him physically attacking Dylan Mulvaney, a transgender influencer.
The video was styled to look like an ad for Bud Light. Both Strickland and Mulvaney have been linked to the beer brand in past news stories.
Strickland wrote that he was glad he had not seen any rainbow flags yet. He added "We're back" to his post to kick off the month.
WHAT THE EVIDENCE SHOWS
The video uses artificial intelligence to mimic a real fight.
- It mimics a Bud Light commercial, referencing Mulvaney's past promotion with the brand.
- Sean Strickland posted the clip on the first day of Pride Month.
- Strickland wrote: "Ive yet to see one rainbow flag. We're back!!!"
- The clip was shared to his public social media page.
THE BIGGER QUESTION
This is not just about a bad joke online. It is about how easy it has become to make fake videos of real people getting hurt.
If anyone can make a realistic video of a star beating up a rival, where does the online bullying end? We must ask how these tools affect real-world safety.
THE OTHER SIDE
Fans of the fighter say his posts are just dark humor meant to get a reaction. They argue he is expressing his free speech and playing a character for his UFC fans. Still, the clip uses deepfake tech to show physical harm against a real person.
WHAT HAPPENS NOW
Social media sites face growing pressure to label or remove fake videos that show violence. For everyday users, it means having to double-check everything they see on their feeds to know if it is real.
WHAT WE STILL DON'T KNOW
- Will the UFC take any action against Strickland for the post?
- How did Dylan Mulvaney respond to the video?
- Did the social media platform flag the video as AI-generated?
Transparency notes
Published: Jun 2, 2026. No major post-publication update has been logged.
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Sources
External source links were not provided in this article body. Our editors reference publicly available materials and update stories as new verified information arrives.