Sean Strickland has once again raised the issue of UFC fighter pay, this time in response to Forbes’ 2026 list of the world’s 50 highest-paid athletes.
The list included Canelo Alvarez in second place, while Jake Paul came in at No. 23 with total earnings of $70 million.
Unlike the boxing stars, no UFC fighters featured in the top 50, and Strickland didn’t miss the chance to point out the gap, suggesting his future earnings might be better served outside the promotion.
Sean Strickland tells UFC to cut him so he can fight Jake Paul
Speaking during a livestream with Nina Drama last Saturday, Strickland reacted after he saw the Forbes list by saying: “I gotta leave the UFC and go beat up Jake Paul. That’s it. Cut my contract, UFC. It’s time for me to leave.”
Nina Drama pointed out that none of Paul’s previous opponents made the top 50, warning that the move might not be as smart as it sounded.
Strickland pushed back, saying: “I would make him pay me. But even if I make a fraction of that, I’d be making more than the UFC is paying me.”
The 35-year-old later added: “I’d f—— beat the s— out of Jake Paul. Jake Paul lost against pretty much a reality star named Tommy. He’s not a real boxer.”
His point was clear. If a crossover fight with Paul could pay significantly more than his UFC contract, it’s no surprise Strickland is making noise about it.
However, as he has just achieved the middleweight belt for the second time in his career, any move similar to a fight against the YouTuber-turned-boxer is completely unlikely.
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