Sean Strickland has taken his dispute with the UFC public. In a series of posts on October 7, the middleweight champion says he is fed up with his pay, is considering giving up his title, moving up to light heavyweight to run out his contract as fast as possible, then boxing Jake Paul. No fight is signed for him. The UFC has not responded publicly.
Key takeaways
- Sean Strickland, the UFC middleweight champion, wrote on October 7 that he is over it and is considering giving up his belt because of his pay.
- He talks about moving to 205 pounds to finish his contract, then boxing Jake Paul. If forced to fight, he promises a boring one.
- No title defense is signed. Nassourdine Imavov, the expected challenger, offered him 500,000 dollars. The UFC has not reacted.
Sean Strickland vs the UFC, what he wrote
The October 7 posts
On X, Sean Strickland wrote that unless things change with the UFC, he is over it. He compares his pay with sums he attributes to Conor McGregor and to a boxer, 30 and 15 million dollars, figures he gives without a source.
The plan he describes
He says the thought of giving up his belt, going to 205 pounds and speed-running his contract sounds very appealing. The stated goal after that is a boxing match with Jake Paul.
The threat
In a video relayed by BJPenn, he warns that if the UFC makes him fight, he will stick and move, the crowd will boo and he will boo with them, before collecting his check.
A champion with no fight signed
The title
Strickland regained the middleweight belt by split decision at UFC 328 in May. He has not defended it since. He points out that he has fought for the title 4 times and won it 2 times.
Imavov waiting
France’s Nassourdine Imavov was expected to be the next challenger. The fight was never made official. In early October, Imavov offered Strickland 500,000 dollars to get it done, Sherdog and Bloody Elbow report.
The calendar
The UFC’s numbered cards are full through the end of 2026, Bloody Elbow notes. A return for the champion before 2027 therefore looks ruled out, even with a deal.
I gotta be honest, unless things change with the UFC, I'm kinda over it.
What can happen now
Jake Paul replies
Jake Paul answered the same day, telling him to call MVP when he is free, according to MiddleEasy. Strickland remains under UFC contract, which bars him from boxing elsewhere without an agreement.
What has not happened
Strickland has not given up his title. His posts are conditional threats, not a decision. Neither the UFC nor Dana White has responded publicly so far.
Follow the division
If the belt opens up, the whole middleweight queue moves. Sean Strickland’s profile, his record and our middleweight rating are in the FightHub app.
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