Sean Strickland said he was finished with the UFC and wanted to pursue boxing in a video posted October 8. The UFC middleweight champion criticized fighter pay and said the promotion no longer cared enough about its athletes. No boxing bout has been announced, and Strickland reportedly remains under UFC contract. The comments create uncertainty around his next title defense, including the unresolved possibility of a fight with Nassourdine Imavov. Any formal contract change, vacancy, or disciplinary action has not been reported.
UFC middleweight champion Sean Strickland has said he is finished with the promotion and wants to pursue boxing, according to a video he posted on October 8. The comments are not officially confirmed as a career move, and no boxing bout has been announced.
Strickland criticized fighter pay in the video and said the UFC no longer cares enough about its athletes. He reportedly remains under contract with the promotion, and no formal contract change, title vacancy or disciplinary action has been reported.
The 35-year-old American holds the middleweight title with a 31-7-0 record. He trains out of Xtreme Couture and fights from an orthodox stance, standing six-foot-one with a 76-inch reach. Strickland lands 6.04 significant strikes per minute at 42 percent accuracy, and averages 0.71 takedowns and 0.2 submission attempts per 15 minutes.
His remarks add doubt to the champion's next title defense. A possible fight with Nassourdine Imavov has been floated, though that matchup remains unresolved. Imavov is the division's No. 3-ranked contender, a 30-year-old Frenchman who trains at MMA Factory and carries a 17-4-0 record. Standing six-foot-three with a 75-inch reach, he lands 4.28 significant strikes per minute at 54 percent accuracy, and averages one submission attempt per 15 minutes.
Why it matters
- Title picture: Uncertainty around the champion's availability could stall the middleweight division's next title fight.
- Contract status: Strickland is reportedly still under UFC contract, so any move to boxing would depend on how that situation is resolved.
- Contender in limbo: Imavov, ranked third, is tied to a possible title shot that now has no clear timeline.
- Unconfirmed intent: It is not clear whether the video signals a genuine departure or frustration over pay.
