Is Sean Strickland fighting Jake Paul? The Tarzan’s UFC contract frustration exploded on social media

Sean Strickland has not booked a fight with Jake Paul, but both men are openly talking about one. On October 7, the UFC middleweight champion posted on X about fighter pay and floated a plan to vacate his belt, move to 205 pounds, finish his UFC contract, and then box Paul. He reclaimed the 185-pound title in May by beating Khamzat Chimaev. Paul replied and pointed him toward his promoter. His title defense against Nassourdine Imavov is still unsigned, and the UFC did not name him on the final numbered card of 2026.Is Sean Strickland really going to fight Jake Paul?Sean Strickland made the idea sound like a real option, and it started with money. He pointed to Conor McGregor's reported $30 million payday and wrote, "they dont want to pay us a fraction of it." He also mentioned a reported $15 million for boxer Conor Benn and called him "Some lame boxer." Benn's signing with Zuffa Boxing had already drawn criticism from MMA fans and fighters.The 185-pound champion would drop the belt he reclaimed in May, go up to 205 pounds and finish the contract fast. Strickland called it "speed running my contract to fight Jake."Paul responded with "If you want your fair share, call MVP when you are free." He also posted a wish list of opponents. McGregor, Canelo Alvarez, Francis Ngannou and Strickland were all on it, along with Tom Aspinall for a boxing match. In another post, Paul asked if Strickland was even out of contract.Strickland expressed his interest for the fight. He wrote, "I haven’t decided if I want to nuke my contract," and added "putting hands on you sounds way better than the UFC right now." Paul's question is the practical hurdle. Strickland has to be free of the UFC before any boxing match.What is going on with the Nassourdine Imavov fight?The pay dispute has already slowed the title fight fans expected next. Last month, Strickland said on X he would face No. 3-ranked Imavov. "Once that detail is squared, it’s locked in," he wrote about the money. He also took a jab at Imavov, writing "no one cares about the fake Frenchman." No announcement has followed, and Strickland has not defended the belt since winning it back.The two crossed paths at the UFC facility in Las Vegas before security separated them. In a clip posted online, Imavov asked, "You not sign the contract?" He then said, "Money? I have money, I give."They have fought before. Strickland won a decision in January 2023. Imavov has not lost since, and he has finished Israel Adesanya and Jared Cannonier along the way. Strickland has climbed too, upsetting Chimaev, who was unbeaten at the time.If pay gets settled, the rematch could happen in early 2027.Stay updated with the latest Asian Games 2026 news, check the Asian Games medal tally and complete Asian Games schedule.Get the latest Sports News and Live updates. Download the TOI app.