Sean Strickland’s ongoing contract dispute with the UFC may also get news.
Strickland, the current UFC middleweight champion and two-time titleholder, was expected to defend his belt against a top contender. Nassourdine Imavov to close in 2026, however, those plans eventually fell through after Strickland and the promotion could not agree on terms over the champion’s salary. That’s why the UFC has opted to book Carlos Oliveira vs. Diego Lopes in the BMF Urban title to headline UFC 335 on Dec. 12.
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Strickland, 35, has been open about his ongoing dealings with the UFC, often airing frustrations about his paycheck on social media. On Wednesday, these frustrations seemed to hit a boiling point, when Strickland wrote that he was “over” the relationship “unless things change with the UFC.”
The middleweights have been accused of “insulting” the salaries of UFC star Conor McGregor and boxer Conor Benn – the latter of whom has signed a $15 million deal with Dana Albo Zuffa Boxing despite never having won a world title – meaning the UFC will relinquish its belt to lightweight and “run” the record once free of its UFC contract.
Strickland’s comments in full:
I gotta be honest unless things change with the UFC Im kinda over it.
McGregor makes 30 million to fight for 30 seconds and they want to give us a portion.
Looking forward to hitting my contract soon at 205 and scratching with @jakepaul
That sounds fun.
As hard as McGregor 30 million
A certain lame boxer has 15 million
The thought of just dropping my belt at 205 and quickly running my contract to fight Jake and make these guys sound pretty damn appealing
Paul, whose MVP joined the PFL in July, was quick to respond.
If you want a fair call MVP, when you are free
Sean Strickland I see your text, but are you out of contract? Say “promoted” to call MVP
Strickland then responded to Paul and continued to ram several posts.
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Despite various out-of-caliber controversies, Strickland stands as one of the UFC’s biggest names — and the few American stars — currently on the air.
He shocked the MMA world in May by toppling previously undefeated Khamzat Chimaev to reclaim the middleweight title at UFC 328. The victory came nearly three years after Strickland won his first championship in a stunning manner, when he dominated Israel Adesanya as an unbeaten old man to steal the belt in September 2023 at UFC 293.
Strickland previously defeated Imavov by unanimous decision in a light heavyweight bout in 2023. It remains to be seen whether the two will rematch in early 2027.