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\nHOUSTON, 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)<\/p>\n
Sean Strickland has always been one of the more vocal fighters on the UFC roster, and lately it seems as if he\u2019s had a laundry list of complaints about the promotion.<\/p>\n
On Thursday, he went in on his employer, before admitting that his heart simply wasn\u2019t in the sport anymore.<\/p>\n
\u201cYall I think Im just frustrated because my body is crashing because MMA training is brutal,\u201d Strickland, the reigning UFC middleweight champion, wrote on social media. \u201cMy heart just isn\u2019t in MMA anymore. Groin tear, AC joint separation. I just don\u2019t think my heart is in MMA anymore. Boxing there is more money and it\u2019s significantly easier.\u201d<\/p>\n
Strickland\u2019s 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\u2019s main event.<\/p>\n
The two-time middleweight champ also suggested he\u2019s interested in a fight with Jake Paul.<\/p>\n
\u201cI gotta be honest unless things change with the UFC I\u2019m kinda over it. McGregor makes 30 million to fight for 30 second and they dont want to pay us a fraction of it,\u201d he stated just a day ago. \u201cContemplating just going to 205 knocking out my contract and scrapping with Jake Paul. <\/span>That sounds fun.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n Strickland reclaimed the UFC\u2019s 185lb title after winning a split decision against Khamzat Chimaev back in May. While \u201cBorz\u201d 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.<\/p>\n