Sean Strickland Responds to Ducking Accusations From Paulo Costa

Sean Strickland has given his reason for seemingly turning down a booking against Paulo Costa.

Costa recently revealed that Strickland had snubbed a proposed matchup between the two for UFC 302 on June 1 in Newark, New Jersey.

Costa is coming off a unanimous decision loss against Robert Whittaker at UFC 298 in February, where the Brazilian put on a gritty performance in his return to action after a year and a half.

“Borrachinha” was reportedly in talks about a potential clash with Jared Cannonier next before the Ultimate Fighting Championship abruptly suggested the Strickland booking. While Costa was even more excited about fighting “Tarzan,” the former champ seemingly turned down the offer.

“This is great stuff. UFC, suggest I fight [Jared] Cannonier. It’s a nice fight and I love the idea to fight Cannonier and they suggest that fight for June,” Costa said on The Coach and The Casual podcast

“But then, two days ago UFC come and say, ‘Paulo, you fight Strickland on June 1.’ It’s a great fight, it’s a fun fight. You know, even [more fun] than Cannonier, I think. Unfortunately, I don’t know what happened. Strickland said no. Strickland, he refused to fight me, unfortunately. That’s what the UFC told me, you know. I just have this information from UFC. I think this fight, it would be great. I would love to fight him.”

Not one to shy away from speaking his mind, Strickland responded with a comment on Costa’s Instagram post sharing the interview. The former champion alluded that he turned the booking down as the price wasn’t right.

“I didn’t say no.. I said ‘how much,’” Strickland wrote.

Strickland was dethroned by Dricus Du Plessis via split decision at UFC 297 in January and has since been rallying for a rematch against “Stillknocks."