LAS VEGAS — Sean Strickland has doubled down on his friction with the UFC over pay, declaring he will not enter the octagon until his contract situation is resolved. The 185-pound champion said he will not fight or sign any new deal until the issue is "figured out", a day after complaining on social media about fighter compensation and considering fighting out his contract to join another promotion.
"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!" The ultimatum escalates a standoff that has played out publicly in recent weeks.
Strickland has taken to social media since September to discuss his unhappiness with his current pay during negotiations for a title defence against Nassourdine Imavov. He enters the dispute on a two-fight winning streak after finishing Anthony Hernandez and then edging Khamzat Chimaev to regain the middleweight title.
The champion said he is even considering dropping his UFC title to complete his current deal at 205 pounds and 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."