Sports · Combat Sports · 2 hrs ago
Sean Strickland threatens to leave UFC over pay dispute
Sean Strickland, the UFC middleweight champion, is in a dispute with the organization over his pay.
He says he will not fight Nassourdine Imavov until his financial situation changes.
He has also threatened to give up his title, finish his contract at light heavyweight or move to boxing to fight Jake Paul.
Online reports put his UFC offer at $400,000 to fight and another $400,000 if he wins, though those figures are not confirmed in the story.
The dispute has prompted fans and other fighters to speak about pay, with Brendan Allen saying UFC fighters are underpaid before apologizing to an executive.
The story says fighters may be reluctant to speak out because they fear losing income, while only top stars may be able to risk it.
Strickland has not said what he will do next, and the dispute’s outcome is not reported.
Sean Strickland has threatened to leave the UFC over a pay dispute.
The UFC middleweight champion says he will not fight Nassourdine Imavov until his financial situation changes.
He has also threatened to vacate his 185-pound title, fight out his contract at light heavyweight and move into boxing to face Jake Paul.
Reports cited by Bloody Elbow say the UFC is offering Strickland $400,000 to show and $400,000 to win, while he wants more.
Fans have backed Strickland, and middleweight contender Brendan Allen has also said fighters are underpaid.
- Who
- Sean Strickland, the UFC middleweight champion, and the UFC.
- What
- Strickland is disputing his pay and has threatened to leave the UFC.
- When
- He made the threats in recent days, according to the article published on October 12, 2026.
- Where
- Not stated.
- Why
- Strickland wants his financial situation to change; the article says he wants more than the reported UFC offer.
Sean Strickland
UFC
Pay
Sean Strickland
Strickland wants more money and says he will not fight Nassourdine Imavov until his financial situation changes.
UFC
The UFC is reportedly offering $400,000 to show and $400,000 to win.
Dana White paid boxer Conor Benn $15 million to fight Regis Prograis, according to Bloody Elbow.
Brendan Allen said fighters were underpaid while backing Strickland at UFC Vegas 122, then apologized to Hunter Campbell.
Strickland threatened to vacate his title, fight out his contract at light heavyweight and move into boxing to face Jake Paul.
- Reported UFC offer
- $400,000 to show and $400,000 to win
- Strickland's title
- UFC middleweight champion, 185 pounds
- Proposed boxing opponent
- Jake Paul
- Brendan Allen's event
- UFC Vegas 122
- Conor Benn's reported payment
- $15 million for a fight with Regis Prograis
What people are saying
we are underpaid
Sources
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