Sean Strickland Refused UFC 335 Title Defense
The middleweight champion turned down the fight due to a proposed reduction in compensation.
Updated on Oct. 6, 2026 in Mixed Martial Arts
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Middleweight champion Sean Strickland has refused a title defense at UFC 335 after rejecting a pay offer. The fighter sought a guaranteed payday of $1,000,000 for the bout.
Why it matters
The dispute centers on contractual compensation expectations for top-tier fighters in the promotion. Strickland cited the proposed salary as the primary reason for declining the contest.
Strickland earned $1,082,000 for his win at UFC 328, but was reportedly offered $400,000 to show and $400,000 to win at UFC 335. Meanwhile, Nassourdine Imavov offered a $500,000 wager on the fight outcome.
The players
Sean Strickland
He is a 35-year-old professional middleweight champion.
Nassourdine Imavov
He is a fighter with a professional record of 17-4, including a 9-2-1 standing in the UFC.
Charles Oliveira
He is a professional fighter who appeared in the BMF title bout at UFC 335.
Diego Lopes
He is a professional fighter who participated in the BMF title bout against Charles Oliveira.
The details
Negotiations stalled after the 35-year-old champion demanded a $1,000,000 guarantee for the match. In his absence from the card, the promotion replaced the fight with a BMF title bout featuring Charles Oliveira and Diego Lopes.
Timeline
September 27, 2026: Sean Strickland tweeted about ongoing pay negotiations.
October 3, 2026: UFC 332 broadcast took place.
early 2027: Possible timeframe for rescheduling the fight.
Season Trajectory
This negotiation standoff highlights the ongoing tension between fighter compensation and promotional salary structures. It impacts the middleweight division's championship timeline and the current competitive landscape for major cards.
Fans are impacted by the absence of the champion from the main card, leading to a shift in the event lineup. The uncertainty surrounding the title defense complicates the division's projected ranking and future tournament schedules.
The takeaway
Fighters often use social media to force public negotiations regarding their guaranteed pay structure. This case underscores the recurring disconnect between a champion's historical earnings and the promotion's standard show-and-win offers.
What happens next
The promotion is expected to attempt to book the fight for an early 2027 date.
Further reading
Learn more about the latest developments in the sport by visiting the Mixed Martial Arts section.
Source note: This article includes information reported by GiveMeSport.
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