Sean Strickland is a two-time UFC champion. He’s still waiting to be paid like one.
The always vocal Strickland won his second middleweight title this past May at UFC 328, earning a split decision over the previously unbeaten Khamzat Chimaev. Strickland is yet to book a future title defense, with injuries playing a part in his absence, but he’s also publicly mentioned that issues with compensation have also left him in no rush to fight again.
On Wednesday, Strickland further aired out his grievances on social media, questioning why a barely active fighter like Conor McGregor is paid so much more than him.
“I gotta be honest unless things change with the UFC I’m kind over it,” Strickland wrote on Twitter. “McGregor makes 30 million to fight for 30 seconds and they don’t want to pay us a fraction of it.
“Contemplating just going to 205, knocking out my contract and scrapping with Jake Paul. That sounds fun.”
It is not known how many bouts Strickland has left on his current contract.
Strickland also alluded to recent Zuffa Boxing signing Conor Benn, who was reportedly signed for $15 million, a number that raised the eyebrows of a number of UFC stars, including Max Holloway, Israel Adesanya, and Sean O’Malley.
“It’s just hard,” Strickland wrote. “McGregor, 30 million. Some lame boxer, 15 million.
“The thought of just giving up my belt and going to 205 and speed-running my contract to fight Jake and make what these guys are making sounds pretty damn appealing.”
Strickland has long been regarded as a UFC company man, known for his constant activity as he rose up the middleweight ranks and then for his two title fight victories over Chimaev and Adesanya, both of whom were heavily favored to defeat Strickland. However, he has previously spoken out against how the UFC treats its athletes, calling the pay structure “predatory.”
Several fans replied to Strickland’s comments and you can see his responses below.
