UFC middleweight champion Sean Strickland is publicly flirting with a transition to boxing, explicitly calling out Zuffa cruiserweight champion Jai Opetaia. This shift in focus comes as Strickland, who captured the middleweight belt by defeating Khamzat Chimaev via split decision at UFC 328 in May, faces ongoing tension regarding his current UFC contract.
The promotion has positioned Nassourdine Imavov as the primary contender for the 185-pound title. Imavov is currently on a five-fight winning streak, capped by a unanimous decision victory over Caio Borralho. Although Strickland defeated Imavov previously at UFC Vegas 67 in January 2023, he is now reportedly refusing to sign for a rematch. Sources indicate that Strickland is dissatisfied with the compensation terms offered by the UFC, fueling his desire to pursue boxing instead. In their previous encounter at UFC Vegas 67 in January 2023, Strickland notably outpointed Imavov over five rounds.
Contract and Career Stance
- Contract Status: Strickland is holding out on signing the Imavov rematch agreement, citing insufficient pay.
- Pay Comparisons: Strickland recently referenced Conor McGregor’s reported earnings from the UFC 329 bout against Max Holloway in July to highlight alleged pay disparities.
- Boxing Aspirations: The champion has stated, “I will put hands on any boxer,” and expressed an interest in moving up a weight class to face Jake Paul in the ring.
The champion’s public threats to vacate his title and pivot to professional boxing have intensified as he continues to push for better financial terms. He remains vocal about the differences in compensation between combat sports disciplines, characterizing the potential transition as an ultimate showdown between MMA and boxing.
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