Is the UFC Middleweight Division Being Held Hostage by an Inactive Champion? Sean Strickland certainly thinks so, and he’s not holding back his thoughts on Khamzat Chimaev. Fresh off a lengthy suspension, Strickland is diving headfirst into the octagon against rising star Anthony ‘Fluffy’ Hernandez on February 21st in what could be a title-shaping bout. But don’t expect Strickland to be eyeing the belt anytime soon—he’s got bigger (and more lucrative) plans in mind.
In a recent interview with ESPN MMA, Strickland didn’t mince words about the current middleweight champion. ‘It’s kind of baffling what the UFC has done with Chimaev,’ he said. ‘Here’s a guy who fights once a year, lives like a celebrity, and seems to have financial backing from questionable sources. He’s buddies with a warlord, for crying out loud. Does he really need to fight? He’s gifted luxury cars left and right. It’s like the UFC is letting him camp out on the belt indefinitely.’
And this is the part most people miss: Strickland isn’t just criticizing Chimaev’s inactivity—he’s questioning the entire system. ‘They wanted him to fight Nassourdine Imavov, and he’s like, ‘Oh, I don’t want to fight my brother,’ Strickland scoffed. ‘That’s not how this sport works. If you’re the champion, you fight who’s next in line. Period.’
But here’s where it gets controversial: Strickland admits he could play the game. He could fight sparingly, coast on his ranking, and wait for a title shot. But that’s not his style. ‘From a financial standpoint, you’d make more money avoiding the belt than chasing it,’ he explained. ‘Take Chimaev—if he fights Nassourdine in six months and then injures himself again, he’ll take another year off. Why tie my career to someone else’s timetable?’
Instead, Strickland is doubling down on staying active. ‘The belt isn’t even on my radar anymore,’ he declared. ‘I’ll make significantly more money just by fighting consistently, even if it means taking a loss here and there. Why wait a year and a half for Chimaev’s ‘mysterious injuries’ to heal? I’d rather fight tough opponents, build my legacy, and triple my pay.’
Bold claim or undeniable truth? Strickland’s stance raises a thought-provoking question: Is the UFC inadvertently rewarding inactivity by allowing champions like Chimaev to hold onto titles without defending them? And if so, what does that mean for the fighters who stay active and take risks? Let us know your thoughts in the comments—is Strickland onto something, or is he missing the bigger picture?
