Sean Strickland ponders vacating UFC title, departing promotion over pay dispute

UFC middleweight champion Sean Strickland publicly expressed frustration over fighter pay in a series of tweets on Wednesday, October 7, 2026, stating he is considering vacating his title in order to expedite the end of his contract with the UFC. Strickland indicated he may depart the promotion entirely over the pay dispute. It remains unclear whether his statements represent a genuine intention to leave or are characteristic of his outspoken public persona.