Dana White Responds To Strickland’s Pay Complaints

Dana White has weighed in on Sean Strickland’s fighter pay complaints at a press conference after this week’s Contender Series.

Strickland, the 185-pound champion, said last week he is “over” the UFC and wants a way out, and now intends to chase a boxing career.

Strickland won the title for the second time with a split decision over Khamzat Chimaev in May, and was expected to defend against No. 1 contender Nassourdine Imavov, whom he first beat in 2023.

The Imavov rematch was planned for UFC 335 in December but fell through when the UFC couldn’t meet Strickland’s financial expectations. UFC 335 will now be headlined by Charles Oliveira vs. Diego Lopes, with Alex Pereira facing Sergei Pavlovich at heavyweight in the co-main.

Strickland recently claimed on social media that he was forced into his latest contract. White noted on Tuesday that the deal was only signed in May, and suggested the dollar amounts Strickland has been quoting aren’t accurate.