Dana White Dismisses Sean Strickland’s Recent Complaints Over Fighter Pay

UFC CEO Dana White is brushing off Sean Strickland’s latest public grievances regarding his pay and contract negotiations. Strickland, the reigning UFC middleweight champion, recently expressed frustration over talks for a proposed title defense against Nassourdine Imavov, stating he would not defend his belt until matters were resolved. Strickland has continued to criticize the promotion's pay structure and negotiation tactics, claiming he earned "a fraction" of what Conor McGregor made, while also expressing interest in competing in boxing and Zuffa Boxing.

Speaking to reporters after the final episode of the Contender Series, White said he has not spoken to Strickland directly and has only seen the comments through social media. White dismissed the champion's outburst, pointing out the timing of his deal. “When isn’t Sean Strickland upset about something or doesn’t have something to say?” White said. “Sean Strickland just signed a new contract in May.”

White also pushed back against the financial claims made by the champion and showed no interest in Strickland pursuing Zuffa Boxing. “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,” White added.

“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. So it is what it is.” Strickland last competed at UFC 328 in May, where he defeated Khamzat Chimaev by split decision to reclaim the UFC middleweight title.