Sean Strickland is seeking a boxing match against Jake Paul, motivated by the significant pay gap between his earnings as a UFC fighter and the financial rewards Paul receives. During a recent appearance on Adin Ross’ Kick stream, Strickland expressed his belief that a single fight with Paul could surpass the total income he has made throughout his entire MMA career.
Strickland, a former UFC middleweight champion known for his outspoken nature, highlighted this disparity with strong words:
“I need to go f*cking beat up Jake Paul. Bro, I’ll make more money f*cking up Jake Paul than in my entire UFC career. How f*cked up is that?” —Sean Strickland, Fighter
Despite this bold statement, Strickland is currently recovering from a decisive unanimous decision loss to reigning middleweight champion Dricus du Plessis at UFC 312, marking his second defeat to the South African star. Their initial clash at UFC 297 ended with du Plessis dethroning Strickland, which significantly impacts Strickland’s chances of competing for the middleweight title again, especially while du Plessis remains the champion.
While a boxing bout with Jake Paul would represent a notable shift in Strickland’s career, logistical and contractual barriers make it improbable. Strickland is still under contract with the UFC, which traditionally restricts fighters from participating in professional boxing matches outside of their agreement.
Ongoing Rivalry with Belal Muhammad Adds to Strickland’s Tense Position
In addition to targeting Jake Paul, Sean Strickland has also called out Belal Muhammad, fueling a public feud marked by mutual trash talk. Following Muhammad’s welterweight title defeat to Jack Della Maddalena at UFC 315, Strickland openly challenged him in a recent interview with Helen Yee:
“I mean, Belal would be a fun fight. That would be a fun one. Belal, you f*cking s*ck up, dog. You can finally s*ck up, dude. All that sh*t you talk, man. We can finally make it happen. You lost your belt, you kind of got f*cked up. I got f*cked up. We should make that fight happen, Belal.” —Sean Strickland, Fighter
Despite Strickland’s interest, Muhammad appears focused on reclaiming his welterweight title rather than engaging with him, suggesting Strickland’s challenge may go unanswered for the foreseeable future.
The Financial Divide Highlights a Wider Issue in Combat Sports
Sean Strickland’s frustration over pay highlights a growing discussion about compensation disparities in combat sports, especially between MMA fighters and crossover celebrities like Jake Paul, who have attracted massive audiences and lucrative paydays despite their limited MMA experience. While Strickland commands respect for his UFC achievements, his comments reflect the tension athletes face when comparing their career earnings to those of internet personalities turned boxers.
With Strickland’s recent setbacks and the apparent hurdles to arranging a bout with Jake Paul, his future remains uncertain. Whether he continues to pursue MMA championship success or explores significant boxing opportunities, his outspoken demands have brought attention to athlete compensation and the evolving landscape of combat sports entertainment.