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UFC middleweight champion Sean Strickland might be on the verge of vacating his title just months after pulling off one of the all-time upsets.

Sean Strickland handed then-UFC middleweight champion Khamzat Chimaev the first loss of his career earlier this year at UFC 328. Strickland defeated Chimaev by split decision to reclaim the UFC middleweight title and hand Chimaev a stunning defeat.

After UFC 328, Strickland and top contender Nassourdine Imavov have been in a war of words online ahead of a likely title fight. But things between Strickland and the UFC brass remain testy after the UFC middleweight champ admitted his ongoing hiatus is financially driven.

Strickland wants a pay increase to fight Imavov in a rematch for his next fight, but the UFC brass is apparently unwilling to budge financially. As a result, Strickland is prepared to vacate the UFC middleweight throne and plot his departure from the promotion.

Sean Strickland considering vacating UFC title to box Jake Paul after contract ends

Strickland took to social media on Wednesday to express his frustration with the UFC brass.

“I gotta be honest, unless things change with the UFC, I’m kinda over it,” Strickland tweeted.

“McGregor makes 30 million to fight for 30 seconds, and they don’t want to pay us a fraction of it. Contemplating just going to 205, knocking out my contract and scrapping with Jake Paul. That sounds fun.”

Strickland went on to share that he’s seriously considering vacating the UFC middleweight title.

“The thought of just giving up my belt, going to 205, and speed running my contract to fight Jake and make what these guys are making sounds pretty d— appealing.”

As of this writing, neither UFC CEO Dana White nor the other matchmakers have responded to Strickland’s comments.

Will Sean Strickland defend the UFC middleweight title next year? Share your predictions in the comments!

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