Sean Strickland is preparing to make a comeback, but it won’t be in the way the UFC initially planned. After being suspended for several months due to an incident involving punching a teammate and entering the cage to confront another fighter, Strickland has only competed once in 2025. However, his break is nearing its end.
Strickland had identified Anthony Hernandez as his preferred opponent, aiming for a victorious return that could lead to a title shot against Khamzat Chimaev. Despite the UFC offering him this exact matchup, Strickland recently revealed why he declined the fight. He cited financial reasons, explaining that without medical insurance, accepting a fight on the Australia card would mean giving up a large portion of his earnings to cover medical costs, something he wasn’t willing to do. He expressed his love for Australia and the UFC but emphasized the impracticality of fighting there without proper support. Strickland hopes to have the bout rescheduled in the United States, where both fighters can compete more conveniently.
Strickland also criticized the middleweight division, calling it “non-existent” and blaming Chimaev for the stagnation. Chimaev, who plans to fight Nasrudin Imavov after Ramadan pending surgery recovery, has delayed title defenses, making it hard for contenders like Strickland to get a shot. Strickland even suggested that moving up to light heavyweight might offer a better path to a championship, given the current state of the middleweight division.
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Fan Take: This development highlights ongoing challenges within UFC’s middleweight division, emphasizing how fighter management and matchmaking impacts title contention. For fight fans, Strickland’s refusal to fight in Australia over financial and medical concerns showcases the real-world issues athletes face beyond the octagon, which could influence future UFC event planning and fighter negotiations.
