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Sean Strickland Wants Out of UFC, But Former UFC Double Champ Doesn’t Want To See “Tarzan” Leave
Earlier today, current and two-time UFC middleweight champion Sean Strickland uploaded a video in which he said that he’s done with the UFC and wants to transition to boxing.
Strickland has previously stated that he’s unhappy with how much the UFC brass is paying him for a potential title defense against Nassourdine Imavov. “Tarzan” also posted on X, telling fans his body is crashing from brutal MMA training and thus his heart doesn’t scream MMA anymore.
Boxing offers more money, and Strickland considers it significantly easier than MMA.
Check out Sean Strickland’s comments below:
Yall I think Im just frustrated because my body is crashing because MMA training is brutal.
My heart just isnt in MMA anymore. Groin tear, AC joint separation.
I just dont think my heart is in MMA anymore. Boxing there is more money and its significantly easier.
— Sean Strickland (@SStricklandMMA) October 8, 2026
In the video mentioned above, Strickland threatened to leave the UFC and move to boxing if Dana White and Co. don’t agree to pay him enough for his next fight. He said:
“I’m gonna say the quiet part out loud that nobody says… the [UFC] just doesn’t care anymore. They don’t pay you enough money to walk away… The UFC builds a legacy, they don’t pay you enough so you have to come back and ruin your legacy… I’m not doing it anymore. I want to fight, I want to box. We’re trying to work that out, but if the UFC says ‘we’re not gonna do that’, well I’m gonna stick and move.”
Check out Sean Strickland’s comments below:
🚨 Sean Strickland just released a video saying he’s done with the UFC and wants to transition to boxing 😳
“I’m gonna say the quiet part out loud that nobody says… the [UFC] just doesn’t care anymore. They don’t pay you enough money to walk away.
The UFC builds a legacy,… pic.twitter.com/Bztw49nCIp
— Championship Rounds (@ChampRDS) October 8, 2026
Former UFC double champ says the company cannot lose Sean Strickland
Former UFC double champion Daniel Cormier believes the UFC cannot lose a “great fighter” like Sean Strickland. In a recent video, “DC” said:
“We don’t want to see Sean Strickland go. No matter what you feel about Sean Strickland, the character, the personality… the one thing you have to respect is how great a fighter he is… Strickland seems like he’s ready to do just about anything to get that money.”
Check out Daniel Cormier’s comments below:
Daniel Cormier warns UFC cannot afford to lose Sean Strickland amid contract holdout:
“We don’t want to see Sean Strickland go. No matter what you feel about Sean Strickland, the character, the personality… the one thing you have to respect is how great a fighter he is…… pic.twitter.com/j207P9QOeW
— Red Corner MMA (@RedCorner_MMA) October 8, 2026
UFC fighters have often voiced frustration over low pay, but none have arguably taken as bold a stance as Strickland. We will have to wait and see how this move plays out for “Tarzan” and if he gets what he desires.