Sean Strickland says he is “kinda over it” with the UFC unless things change, floating giving up his middleweight title amid a pay dispute. The champion also raised the prospect of moving up to 205 pounds, fighting out his contract and taking on Jake Paul.
Strickland made the comments in a series of posts on X on Wednesday 7 October (US time), reported by MMA Junkie, Bloody Elbow, Fightful and Heavy.com.
What Strickland said
“I gotta be honest unless things change with the UFC Im kinda over it,” Strickland wrote. “McGregor makes 30 million to fight for 30 second and they dont want to pay us a fraction of it. Contemplating just going to 205 knocking out my contract and scrapping with @jakepaul. That sounds fun.”
In a follow-up post, he added: “The thought of just giving up my belt going to 205 and speed running my contract to fight Jake and make what these guys are making sounds pretty damn appealing.”
Replying to a fan, he wrote: “Yeah man I wouldnt even care to give up my belt and go to 205. Easier cut,” MMA Junkie reported.
Why his first title defence isn’t booked
The 35-year-old won the middleweight title for a second time at UFC 328 in May with a split-decision win over Khamzat Chimaev, the first loss of Chimaev’s career. He had stopped Anthony Hernandez in February, according to UFC.com.
A rematch with Nassourdine Imavov, whom he beat in January 2023, was expected next but has not been made official. UFC 335 in December will instead be headlined by Charles Oliveira vs Diego Lopes, and MMA Junkie reported the earliest the rematch could happen is January.
Strickland said in late September that the two sides were “discussing pay now”, GiveMeSport reported. Both GiveMeSport and Sherdog cited reports he was offered $400,000 to show and $400,000 to win, while seeking $1 million. Heavy.com noted he has multiple fights left on his deal.
Rivals put money on the table
Imavov has offered $500,000 of his own money if Strickland beats him in January, while Chimaev offered $1 million for a rematch. “Send me location and let’s fight don’t care outside inside the cage,” Chimaev posted on X, Sherdog reported.
Dricus du Plessis, who beat Strickland twice, backed him to beat Imavov again. “So I honestly believe we’re going to hear ‘and still,’” du Plessis said on Fight Forecast, MMA Junkie reported.
What happens next
The UFC had not publicly responded at the time of writing. Next up for the promotion is UFC 333, where Alexander Volkanovski defends his featherweight title.
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