Strickland Mulls Vacating Title for Possible Jake Paul Boxing Bout, Nothing Official

UFC middleweight champion Sean Strickland has said he is weighing a move that would take him out of the octagon and into a boxing ring with Jake Paul. Nothing is official, but both men have now publicly voiced interest in the idea.

Strickland, who has grown frustrated with fighter pay in the UFC, said he is considering vacating his title, moving up to 205 pounds to complete his UFC contract, and then chasing a lucrative fight against Paul. Paul responded by telling Strickland to contact Most Valuable Promotions once he is free from his UFC deal.

Strickland, 35, holds a 31-7-0 record and is the reigning middleweight champion. Nicknamed "Tarzan," the Xtreme Couture fighter from the United States fights out of an orthodox stance and stands six-foot-one with a 76-inch reach. He lands 6.04 significant strikes per minute at 42 percent accuracy, and averages 0.71 takedowns per 15 minutes.

Paul, 29, is 12-1-0 as a professional and competes under the Most Valuable Promotions banner. The American, known as "The Problem Child," is also orthodox, six-foot-one with a 76-inch reach, matching Strickland's measurements.

Why it matters

• A title vacancy at middleweight would reshape the division's top end if Strickland follows through.
• Strickland's stated plan to move to 205 pounds suggests he wants to fulfill his UFC obligations before any boxing move.
• Paul's reply points to a clear path: a deal would run through Most Valuable Promotions only after Strickland's UFC contract ends.
• The exchange adds to the wider conversation about fighter compensation in the UFC.

Neither side has outlined a timeline, and no bout has been agreed.