Sean Strickland Says He Wants to Box, Prefers Zuffa to Make It Happen
Reigning UFC middleweight champion Sean Strickland says he wants to cross over to boxing, ideally under the Zuffa banner.
Sean Strickland is not content with just ruling the UFC middleweight division. The reigning 185-pound champion says he wants to box, per Sherdog.
"I love MMA but I want to box," Strickland wrote on social media. "Prefer Zuffa but if they can't make that happen....."
The trailing ellipsis says a lot. Strickland, who reclaimed the middleweight title by defeating Khamzat Chimaev in May 2026, has always been one of the more boxing-forward fighters in the UFC. His jab-heavy, volume-striking style has drawn both praise and criticism inside the octagon, but it would translate naturally to a squared ring.
The Zuffa preference is notable. Zuffa Boxing has been a rumored entity for years, with the UFC's parent company exploring crossover events that would let its fighters compete under boxing rules without leaving the promotion. Strickland publicly asking for it suggests those conversations are at least happening.
Strickland is also coming off a busy week at UFC 331, where his friend and training partner Sean Sharaf pulled off one of the biggest upsets of the year by knocking out Gable Steveson in 12 seconds. Strickland was vocal in celebrating Sharaf's win, calling him a "legend" on social media.
Whether the boxing talk is serious or Strickland being Strickland remains to be seen. He is rumored to defend his middleweight title next against Nassourdine Imavov, and the UFC is unlikely to let its champion detour to another sport before that fight happens. But the seed is planted.
Sean Strickland boxing makes more sense than most UFC crossover talk, because his whole game is already a boxing match with the occasional teep. Jab, jab, cross, walk forward, repeat. Put him in a ring with 10-ounce gloves and the style translates cleaner than it does for almost anyone else on the roster.
The Zuffa preference is the smart play too. Asking Dana's own boxing outfit to book it keeps him in the family instead of picking a fight with his employer. That trailing ellipsis is a threat, but a polite one.
My problem is timing. He is the middleweight champion with Imavov reportedly next, and he just flipped a side-by-side. The UFC is not letting its champ go box before he defends the belt, and they should not. Defend, then go play. And Sharaf knocking out Steveson in 12 seconds with Strickland cheering him on is exactly the kind of week that makes a man think he can do anything.
