HOUSTON, TEXAS – FEBRUARY 21: Sean Strickland reacts after a TKO victory against Anthony Hernandez in a middleweight fight during the UFC Fight Night event at Toyota Center on February 21, 2026 in Houston, Texas. (Photo by Cooper Neill/Zuffa LLC)
Sean Strickland has always been one of the more vocal fighters on the UFC roster, and lately it seems as if he’s had a laundry list of complaints about the promotion.
On Thursday, he went in on his employer, before admitting that his heart simply wasn’t in the sport anymore.
“Yall I think Im just frustrated because my body is crashing because MMA training is brutal,” Strickland, the reigning UFC middleweight champion, wrote on social media. “My heart just isn’t in MMA anymore. Groin tear, AC joint separation. I just don’t think my heart is in MMA anymore. Boxing there is more money and it’s significantly easier.”
Strickland’s comments come after rumors of him turning down a UFC 335 headlining spot against Nassourdine Imavov, reportedly over the purse for the fight. The promotion eventually announced Charles Oliveira vs. Diego Lopes for the BMF title as the December card’s main event.
The two-time middleweight champ also suggested he’s interested in a fight with Jake Paul.
“I gotta be honest unless things change with the UFC I’m kinda over it. McGregor makes 30 million to fight for 30 second and they dont want to pay us a fraction of it,” he stated just a day ago. “Contemplating just going to 205 knocking out my contract and scrapping with Jake Paul. That sounds fun.”
Strickland reclaimed the UFC’s 185lb title after winning a split decision against Khamzat Chimaev back in May. While “Borz” had contemplated a move to 205lbs, he later began campaigning for a rematch with Strickland. Neither that fight, nor a match-up with top contender Imavov, has materialized for Strickland as of yet.