Dana White keeps getting reminded that not every fighter is willing to fight for the love of the game forever. 😂💸 UFC Middleweight champ Sean Strickland is exploring a move into boxing as frustration over UFC fighter pay continues to boil over. After putting years into MMA, he's looking at other opportunities rather than spending the rest of his career fighting for money he doesn't believe is enough. Imagine fighting your way to UFC gold and still having to look elsewhere for the bag. Is the UFC seriously underpaying its fighters? 👀 via @stricklandmma #ufc #mma #seanstrickland #fyp #feed
UFC middleweight champion Sean Strickland is weighing a move into boxing, driven by frustration over what fighters earn inside the UFC. Rather than spend the rest of his career in the cage for money he feels falls short, Strickland is looking at other opportunities, including the boxing ring.
The story adds to a long-running debate over UFC fighter pay, with a reigning titleholder now openly exploring options outside the promotion. Strickland has put years into mixed martial arts and reached the top of his division, yet he is looking elsewhere to maximize his earning power.
Strickland, nicknamed "Tarzan," is 35 and holds a 31-7-0 record. The American trains out of Xtreme Couture and fights from an orthodox stance. He stands six-foot-one, or 185 cm, with a 76-inch reach of 193 cm.
His standup is the foundation of his game. Strickland lands 6.04 significant strikes per minute at 42 percent accuracy, a volume-heavy approach that suits a transition to boxing on paper. His grappling output is modest by comparison, with 0.71 takedowns and 0.2 submission attempts per 15 minutes, which underlines how much of his work happens on the feet.
Why it matters
- A sitting UFC champion publicly exploring boxing puts fresh attention on fighter compensation inside the promotion.
- The middleweight division could face uncertainty if its champion shifts focus away from MMA.
- Strickland's striking-heavy profile makes a crossover a natural conversation, though no boxing bout has been reported.
No fight, opponent or timeline has been attached to the idea. For now, Strickland is looking at his options, and his position as a champion gives his frustration extra weight.
