Sean Strickland’s ongoing feud with the UFC has intensified following the collapse of his scheduled middleweight title defense against Nassourdine Imavov at UFC 335. The reigning champion has repeatedly called out the promotion over fighter compensation, expressing frustration with the terms of his current contract and the money he believes UFC athletes deserve.
The 35-year-old has even discussed moving up to light heavyweight to fulfill his remaining contractual obligations before pursuing opportunities in boxing. Strickland has also teased a potential fight with Jake Paul, suggesting that stepping outside the UFC could prove far more lucrative.
However, his criticism extends beyond his personal financial situation. Strickland has accused the UFC of underpaying its roster, arguing that fighters should be able to earn enough during their careers to retire comfortably.
With Strickland continuing to air his grievances publicly, Dana White has finally addressed the middleweight champion’s complaints about his contract. However, his response offered little reassurance to the reigning 185lbs kingpin.
Dana White Takes a Dig at Sean Strickland, Says UFC Champion Is Always Upset About Something
During the recent press conference following the final episode of Dana White’s Contender Series Season 10, White was asked about Strickland’s complaints regarding his UFC contract. The UFC CEO admitted he had not spoken to the middleweight champion directly about the issue before taking a dig at his tendency to speak his mind.
He said, “I haven’t personally; I’ve just heard through social media and stuff. But when isn’t Sean Strickland upset about something or doesn’t have something to say?”
White then pointed out that “Tarzan” signed a new contract in May 2026, adding that the numbers being reported about his deal were inaccurate.
“Sean Strickland just signed a new contract in May. He just signed a new contract in May. He signed a new deal. Was that like, four months ago? Five months ago? He signed a new deal. And from what I hear, the number he’s putting out there, it’s not true. The number that he claimed he made is not true.”
Dana White reacts to Sean Strickland’s UFC pay dispute:
“When isn’t Sean Strickland upset about something? Sean Strickland just signed a new contract in May.
From what I hear, the number he’s putting out there is not true… It is what it is.” https://t.co/UW7gprSUK4
— Championship Rounds (@ChampRDS) October 14, 2026
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The reported figures came from MMA Junkie reporter Mike Bohn, who revealed that Strickland earned over $1 million for his fight against Khamzat Chimaev at UFC 328. The middleweight champion reportedly signed a six-fight deal, with five fights remaining on his current contract and similar pay terms expected for those bouts.
However, Strickland has not publicly revealed an exact figure for his earnings. His frustration appears to stem partly from the massive payouts reportedly received by other fighters, including Conor McGregor’s reported $30 million payday for UFC 329 and the $15 million Conor Benn earned while fighting under the Zuffa Boxing banner. Strickland has made it clear that he earns only a fraction of those amounts.
White, however, believes the timing of Strickland’s new deal makes his complaints difficult to understand. The bossman reiterated that the champion had agreed to his current terms just a few months ago.
He said, “It is what it is. If we were in a situation where he’d been under the same contract for a year, two years — he just signed a contract in May. He got a whole new deal in May. So it is what it is.”
Dana White says Sean Strickland would have “no chance” against Jai Opetaia 😭
“I don’t think it ever goes good crossing over boxing with MMA.” https://t.co/NIqeI8WVGP
— Happy Punch (@HappyPunch) October 10, 2026
Meanwhile, Strickland has threatened to withhold his middleweight title defense until his contract situation is resolved. With the champion unwilling to move forward under the current circumstances, the division’s immediate future remains uncertain.
Kshitiz Kumar Singh is a UFC Writer at NY Fights with over three years of experience in sports journalism and content creation. Known for his sharp storytelling and passion for combat sports, he has written in-depth features on stars like Brock Lesnar, Randy Couture, and Ilia Topuria. Before joining NY Fights, Kshitiz worked as a UFC Editor at EssentiallySports while currently serving as a WWE Editor at FirstSportz. His admiration for legends like Georges St-Pierre continues to inspire his detailed and engaging MMA coverage. Whether he’s covering the Octagon or the squared circle, Kshitiz is committed to delivering accurate, high-quality content. Outside the world of sports, he’s a dedicated cinephile, often found practicing monologues from his favorite Al Pacino films, combining his love for cinema with storytelling.
