Overview
- On Wednesday Sean Strickland used social media to say he was “kinda over” the UFC and floated vacating the middleweight title, moving to light heavyweight, and racing through his contract to pursue a high‑pay boxing bout.
- Talks for a planned rematch with Nassourdine Imavov reportedly collapsed over money and the UFC instead booked Charles Oliveira vs. Diego Lopes to headline UFC 335, leaving Strickland’s first defense unconfirmed.
- Multiple outlets reported, without independent confirmation, that the UFC’s offer to Strickland was about $400,000 to show and $400,000 to win while Strickland was seeking roughly $1 million, and Imavov publicly offered $500,000 of his own money toward the fight.
- Strickland says accumulated injuries and the grind of making 185 pounds make boxing more attractive and warned he would ‘stick and move’ and give limited effort if forced to fight while focused on leaving; Jake Paul and his promotion responded by inviting contact if Strickland becomes a free agent.
- The dispute underscores broader questions about fighter pay and promotional leverage and could force the UFC to decide whether to renegotiate, strip the belt, or compel Strickland to fulfill his contract before any crossover fight.