The UFC is not safe from Sean Strickland’s rants.
As always, the former middleweight champion has not held back with his remarks in fight week ahead of his return at Saturday’s UFC Houston event.
Strickland will headline the card against Anthony Hernandez at the Toyota Center, as both men look to put in a performance that could push them to the front of the line in the race for a shot at Khamzat Chimaev’s title.
In the lead-up to his first fight in over a year, Strickland has caused a stir with his homophobic comments about Bad Bunny and the Super Bowl halftime show, as well as his reaction to Ronda Rousey fighting Gina Carano.
His most recent comments to draw attention, however, were directed at his employer.
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Sean Strickland does not care that ‘predatory’ UFC boosted bonuses
Fighter pay has been a big topic at the start of 2026 owing to the UFC’s $7.7 billion broadcast deal with Paramount.
The promise for fighter pay increases has so far only been fulfilled in the form of a boosted bonus structure, which saw the figure doubled from $50k to $100k.
But it is safe to say the prospect of taking one home from UFC Houston does not satisfy one half of the main event.
“No,” Strickland told Complex when asked if he was excited to see the new bonuses. “No one’s getting paid more. What’s the new bonus? 50? 100?
“As far as the pay scale, when you compare it to any other sporting event, the UFC is the most f—ed up. Athlete pay versus what [the UFC] is making, there is no argument there. It’s not fair. It’s predatory.
“I would just like it to match any other sporting event. Any other sporting event — how much they’re making is what we should get paid,” he added.
“Let’s say the NFL gives 70 percent of its profits — I’m making this up — to their players. The UFC should do the same.”
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Dana White said fighter pay would go up — but the signs don’t point up
When the UFC inked the lucrative deal with Paramount, many immediately questioned the financial impact that the agreement would have on the roster.
Dana White insisted fighter pay would increase, but the only evidence of that so far has come in the form of the bonus boosts, and even that still hasn’t brought the figure in line with how the UFC’s revenue has grown over the past 15 years.
Meanwhile, a number of fighters have made remarks that suggest pay is not improving in the Paramount deal.
Justin Gaethje said his pay was the same at UFC 324 as it would have been in the ESPN era, and Rousey recently suggested the promotion is less inclined to put on big fights now that there is no pay-per-view.
Explaining why her fight with Carano won’t happen in the UFC, Rousey addressed her negotiations with the UFC and suggested the promotion is focused on saving money rather than putting on the top bouts.