Sean Strickland Threatened to Leave UFC for Jake Paul

The MMA fighter cited pay dissatisfaction as a primary reason for potentially pursuing a crossover boxing match.

Updated on Oct. 8, 2026 in Mixed Martial Arts

Dynamic expressive illustration of two combat athletes in a boxing ring, rendered with visible brush strokes and high-contrast navy and red. — Middleweight champion Sean Strickland has publicly threatened to depart the UFC to seek a lucrative professional boxing match against influencer-turned-fighter Jake Paul. AI Illustration. Upload story photo >

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Middleweight champion Sean Strickland has threatened to leave the UFC to pursue a professional boxing match against Jake Paul. Strickland expressed frustration regarding his current pay compared to other fighters.

Why it matters

The potential move highlights ongoing athlete frustration with UFC compensation models. Strickland aims to increase his career earnings by transitioning into a high-profile boxing matchup.

Sean Strickland currently holds a 31-7 professional MMA record, while Jake Paul has recorded 12 wins across 14 professional boxing matches. Strickland, age 35, plans to compete at the 205-pound weight class to conclude his current contract.

The players

Sean Strickland

He is a professional mixed martial artist who currently holds the UFC Middleweight title.

Jake Paul

He is a professional boxer and social media personality who has won 12 of his 14 career bouts.

The details

Strickland took to X to announce his intent to exit the UFC and face Paul in the boxing ring. In response, Paul instructed the fighter to have his promoter reach out to MVP to discuss a potential bout.

February 2023: Jake Paul lost a boxing match to Tommy Fury.
December 2025: Jake Paul lost to Anthony Joshua.
May 2026: Sean Strickland won the Middleweight title at UFC 328.
October 2026: Strickland and Paul discussed a potential fight.

Season Trajectory

This situation follows the pattern of established MMA stars seeking lucrative boxing matches popularized by major crossover events. It marks a departure from standard UFC career paths as athletes increasingly prioritize external revenue opportunities over traditional title defense cycles.

Strickland's move to the 205-pound weight class to finish his current contract effectively removes him from the immediate Middleweight title defense rotation. This transition may create an opening for other top-ranked contenders to challenge for the title in the coming months.

The takeaway

Fighters increasingly view high-profile boxing matchups as viable paths to exceed traditional organizational salary caps. Fans should note that such crossover threats often serve as leverage in broader contract disputes between athletes and promotions.