Keith Lee Speaks Out About Racist Allegations Made By Sean Strickland

Keith Lee's TikTok content is mostly food reviews and family experiences, but he recently took to the social media app to clear the air on some allegations that are swirling around.

After a conversation with MMA fighter Sean Strickland was misconstrued according to Lee, he wanted to make sure people knew the truth because the story being told is beginning to affect his livelihood and presence on the app.

Lee, who is known for his entertaining and informative TikTok videos reviewing local Las Vegas eateries, has more than 13.5 million followers. He wanted to make sure to clear the air with his truth as it's beginning to affect his life and mission.

"I received a week straight of false allegations, negative comments, and negative backlash for something that I didn't do," he began his video. "Let's talk about it."

The video then goes into a clip of Sean Strickland talking about Lee during a podcast. He said he "can't stand" Lee and called him "racist."

"So he comes up to me and he was like, pretty much, like, he tried to like talk to me about race," Strickland said. "He tried to have like this racial, systematic oppression."

Lee then explains what the conversation was actually about saying that they did have a conversation and the topic was race when Lee entered the chat.

"Sean Strickland is an MMA fighter who is known for saying divisive things," Lee continued. "We had disagreements prior to this situation but nothing that couldn't have been settled with a conversation."

He then explained that he walked over to Strickland and two other people having a conversation after practice at the gym.

"I joined the conversation and the conversation happened to already be on race," he said. "In the beginning of this conversation, it was not only intelligent, but it was productive. One thing led to another, and Sean said this."

The video then goes to a clip of Stickland on the podcast saying, 'Anytime you're talking to somebody racist, and I know this because I used to be a little racist, anytime you're talking to someone racist, and you wanna like really piss them off, you just gotta talk about f***ing the sex of the race of whatever they are."

Strickland said he was "poking him" in what he considered to be a humorous way, but Lee said he "never found the humor in any of those comments." Strickland then claimed that Lee said, "I don't like white people."

"Never at one point did I say I don't like anybody," Lee continued. "I simply disagreed with what he said."

Lee said he's been dealing with negative backlash for a week-and-a-half over what Strickland said.

"I don't have any bad feelings or wish anything ill against Sean Strickland. I just want this cleared up," Lee continued. "The only reason I'm responding to this at all is because it's spinning into a narrative that's completely false."

Lee said he debated whether or not to respond at all, or give this any attention, but it's beginning to affect him, his family and his livelihood.

"I've blocked over 1,000 people and deleted thousands of comments that were degrading me and coming at my personal character," he said.

"But false things like this are not only detrimental to me but also can potentially deter potential brands that would like to reach out to me and my family. On top of deterring people who have no idea who I am and are just discovering me for the first time wanna join our community. And it's just unfair to me and my family to miss out on opportunities that can change our lives based on lies."

Six different unrelated videos were affected by Strickland's allegations and "Sean Strickland Keith Lee racism" became a top search on the app. Lee explained that his actions speak louder than his words and this all goes completely against what he stands for as a person.

Strickland claimed he had two witnesses to Lee saying racist things. Lee called both of those witnesses, told them both that he was recording and that he will be posting the conversation.

When Lee asked the first witness if he remembered hearing him say he doesn't like white people, the witness said, "No, you did not say that."

The second witness had a similar response saying that while there was a conversation about racism, he doesn't think it went down the way Strickland is portraying it.

"And again, this conversation that we talked about happened over a year ago. I haven't actively been at the gym all year, so they had no reason to lie on my behalf," Lee said. "It's just the situation didn't go how he depicted and I appreciate both of them being honest and standing up for what's true."

Lee's video received more than 3.6 million views, and more than 20,000 comments. The comment section was filled with supportive messages.

"I'm so sorry you're dealing with this. I've never heard of Sean Strickland, and I'm glad of it. Hang in there Keith, you're a good person," one person wrote. Another added, "Keith remember that envy comes in many forms. Don’t let someone beneath you pull down to their level. Thank you for being you."

One follower pointed out a serious red flag that Strickland willingly flew. "'I used to be a little racist' first red flag, we know the truth, and that's all that matters, I wish the best for you and your family ❤️."

Another person pointed out, "It’s jealousy. When they can’t be like you, they try to tear down what you built, rather than work to build something themselves."