Jorge Masvidal Backs Sean Strickland in UFC Pay Dispute
Masvidal pointed to the UFC's $1.3 billion revenue and asked why the middleweight champion has to beg for a raise.
Jorge Masvidal is adding his voice to Sean Strickland's fight for better pay, and he is not being subtle about it.
The former UFC title challenger defended the middleweight champion's position in a recent interview, pointing to the promotion's $1.3 billion annual revenue and questioning why a reigning champion would need to beg for a bigger paycheck. "How can you not pay this guy?" Masvidal said, per ClutchPoints. "Pay these guys more, UFC."
Masvidal called Strickland a "top three" draw in the company and praised his cult-like following, arguing he generates more engagement than fighters like Ilia Topuria or Justin Gaethje who have wider mainstream audiences. "He's super controversial, super fun to watch," Masvidal said. He questioned why a champion with that kind of pull would be forced to complain publicly about his earnings.
The dispute erupted after the UFC reportedly rejected Strickland's request for more money to defend his middleweight title against Nassourdine Imavov. Strickland has since gone public with his frustrations, criticizing the promotion in social media videos and hinting at a possible move to Jake Paul's Most Valuable Promotions. Masvidal added that it "shouldn't even be an option" for a UFC champion to consider boxing Jake Paul as a way to get paid.
Strickland's situation has become a flashpoint in the ongoing fighter pay debate. The champion has said publicly that the UFC forced him into a new contract before his title fight, and his willingness to air grievances has drawn both support and criticism from fighters and fans.
Masvidal, who fought through his own high-profile pay disputes during his UFC career, said he will always side with the fighters. "I'm always gonna be on the fighters' side," he said. Coming from a fighter who headlined pay-per-views and knows the business inside out, the support carries real weight.
I lived through the Nate Diaz pay wars. I watched guys from the 209 fight the UFC on money for years. So when Strickland says the check does not match the value, I believe him.
Masvidal is right. The UFC is pulling $1.3 billion a year and you are telling me the middleweight champion cannot get a raise? That is embarrassing. Not for Strickland. For the UFC. The guy has a title, he has a following, he moves the needle every time he opens his mouth. Pay the man.
And the fact that boxing Jake Paul is being floated as a better financial option than defending a UFC belt should make Dana White's head explode. That is not a Strickland problem. That is a UFC problem. When your champion is looking at a YouTuber's promotion as the smarter business move, something is broken. I hope more fighters speak up. Masvidal doing it matters.
