Sean Strickland debating vacating title to push towards UFC exit over pay dispute: 'Kinda over it'
Strickland says he may give up the belt and move to 205 pounds after the UFC reportedly offered $400,000 to show and $400,000 to win.
- On Wednesday, October 7, 2026, UFC Middleweight Champion Sean Strickland threatened to leave the organization, suggesting he could "speed run" his contract to fight Jake Paul at 205 pounds.
- Strickland cited substantial pay disparities, writing that Conor McGregor makes $30 million for 30 seconds of fighting while labeling current financial terms "hard" to accept.
- Reports indicate the promotion offered the 35-year-old $400k to show and $400k to win, figures he compared to the $15 million Connor Benn earned in a September loss against Ryan Garcia.
- Tensions flared Wednesday at the UFC Performance Institute in Las Vegas when Strickland engaged in a heated verbal skirmish with Nassourdine Imavov, his current negotiating rival.
- Paul appeared to address the challenge on social media, instructing Strickland to contact Most Valuable Promotions to finalize a potential bout as the fighter's future remains unsigned.
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25 Articles
While discussions about revenge against Sean Strickland still seem to be blocked, the Frenchman decided to take action. On Wednesday, the two men found themselves in Las Vegas and the tone quickly rose.
UFC Middleweight Champion Sean Strickland Threatens Exit, Prompting Fight Offer From Jake Paul | 🏆 LatestLY
UFC Middleweight Champion Sean Strickland is openly contemplating vacating his title and exiting the promotion due to an escalating pay dispute. The outspoken champion, who reclaimed his title in May 2026, expressed frustration with UFC compensation compared to figures like Conor McGregor and other boxers. 🏆 UFC Middleweight Champion Sean Strickland Threatens Exit, Prompting Fight Offer From Jake Paul.
Sean Strickland Threatens to Quit UFC After Failing to Earn Even a “Fraction” of Conor McGregor’s Purse
Amid rumors of his first title defense, Sean Strickland is eyeing at least a minuscule portion of what Conor McGregor has earned from the UFC. But it seems the middleweight champion’s demands have plunged him into a standoff with the UFC brass that has prompted him to threaten to leave the promotion. In a series […]
"McGregor makes 30 million to fight" - Sean Strickland threatens to vacate title and fight Jake Paul over UFC pay dispute
UFC middleweight champion Sean Strickland escalated his war of words with the promotion by threatening to give up his title, move up a division, and fight Jake Paul once he was done with the deal.
Sean Strickland Threatens To Leave UFC To Fight Jake Paul Amid Contract Dispute, Paul Responds
Sean Strickland is not happy with the UFC. Over the weekend, the UFC announced the upcoming main event for UFC 335 in Vegas: Charles Oliveira vs. Diego Lopes. Many believed Strickland would headline the card against Nassourdine Imavov, but for some reason his fight wasn’t announced. According to Strickland, he’s having contract issues with the […]
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