UFC champion issues ultimatum to UFC bosses

Sean Strickland has doubled down on his friction with the UFC over pay.

A day after complaining on social media about fighter compensation in the UFC and considering to fight out of contract to move on to another promotion, the 185-pound champion announced he will not enter the octagon until his situation gets “figured out.”

“I will not fight or sign any contract until I get this figured out,” Strickland wrote. “Hopefully we get it figured out soon. Thanks for all your support it helps!”

I will not fight or sign any contract until I get this figured out

Hopefully we get it figured out soon

Thanks for all your support it helps!

👊

— Sean Strickland (@SStricklandMMA) October 9, 2026

Strickland has taken to social media since September to discuss how he appeared unhappy with his current pay in negotiations for a title defense against Nassourdine Imavov.

Strickland is on a two-fight winning streak after finishing Anthony Hernandez and then edging Khamzat Chimaev to regain the middleweight title. Strickland said he’s even considering to drop his UFC title to complete his current deal at 205 pounds to then leave the promotion.

“Contemplating just going to 205, knocking out my contract and scrapping with Jake Paul,” Strickland wrote on Wednesday. “That sounds fun.”

I gotta be honest unless things change with the UFC Im kinda over it.

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.

— Sean Strickland (@SStricklandMMA) October 7, 2026

Source: sports.yahoo.com — article syndicated from the publisher’s feed; all rights remain with the original publisher.