Sean Strickland Rips Apart Billion Dollar Companies Sponsorship Conditions Ahead of UFC 328

Sean Strickland has unleashed more chaos into the fight week for UFC 328 as he attacked his potential corporate sponsors.

Sean Strickland Rips Apart Billion Dollar Companies Sponsorship Conditions Ahead of UFC 328

Sean Strickland rips into billion dollar companies ahead of UFC 328 [via BBC]

In Short
  • Sean Strickland criticizes corporate sponsors, stating he doesn't need their money.
  • He labels UFC fighter pay as "predatory" and calls for fair compensation.
  • Strickland's outspoken nature has led to conflicts with UFC management, including having his mic cut off.

Unless a fighter transcends the sport like Conor McGregor, a championship run is usually the peak of their drawing power. Their time at the top of their divisions is generally the most lucrative time in their career. However, Sean Strickland, despite being on the precipice of becoming a two-time middleweight champion, has ripped into his potential corporate sponsors.

‘Tarzan’ faces Khamzat Chimaev at UFC 328 for the middleweight championship. This will be his second chance to regain the title he lost to Dricus Du Plessis at UFC 297. But it seems Strickland only wants the championship and not all of the perks that come with winning it.

Sean Strickland has never been one to hold back in speaking his mind. The former middleweight champion always expresses his views as bluntly as possible, receiving as much flak for them as he does support. Nothing seems to have changed heading into UFC 328 despite all the drama surrounding the card with Strickland’s latest comments.

The former middleweight champion seems to be leaning into the chaos of this fight week with Chimaev, something Jon Anik will appreciate. However, the UFC itself may not be as forthcoming about Strickland’s words.

I don’t give a [expletive] if Nike wants to come give me a [sponsorship.] Nike, you want to come give me a logo as you go use little Chinese kids and make shoes? Like these major companies, you don’t want to sponsor me? You’re actually the problem, dude…Keep keep your money you corporate scumbags.

Sean Strickland via UFC 328 media day

Strickland revealed that he didn’t need to take money from these corporate sponsors anymore. He said he could retire right now, and didn’t want an “extra million dollars.” This latest rant from Strickland fits perfectly into the anti-establishment, everyman persona he has crafted over the years.

But Strickland has never hesitated in going after companies for their practices. Before his last fight against Anthony Hernandez, the former middleweight champion lambasted his own company for its pay structure.

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Sean Strickland labels UFC fighter pay as “predatory”

Despite Dana White and the UFC being advocates of letting fighters speak their minds, it seems Sean Strickland may be where they draw the line. Strickland’s brash, unapologetic attitude has gotten him into trouble with his own employers many times. Just recently, ‘Tarzan’ had his mic cut off during another rant following his win over ‘Fluffy’.

Sean Strickland
Sean Strickland called the UFC’s fighter pay “predatory” [via Geeks and Gamers]

However, what he was saying before the fight may lend more context to the UFC’s decision. In an interview with Complex ahead of the Anthony Hernandez fight, Strickland attacked the UFC and downplayed the increase in fighter bonus from $50,000 to $100,000.

As far as the pay scale, when you compare it to any other sporting event, the UFC is the most [expletive] up. Athlete pay versus what [the UFC] is making, there is no argument there. It’s not fair. It’s predatory. I would just like it to match any other sporting event. Any other sporting event — how much they’re making is what we should get paid. Let’s say the NFL gives 70% of its profits — I’m making this up — to their players. The UFC should do the same.

Sean Strickland via Complex

Strickland has often been criticized for being needlessly political, with many accusing him of chasing clout. However, he has shown several times that his UFC persona is merely an extension of his volatile, unhinged self. His employers know this well given the heightened security at UFC 328.

Meanwhile, Tarzan’s antics have greatly benefited his upcoming opponent, Khamzat Chimaev, financially. ‘Borz’ claimed to love Strickland as he hinted at his UFC 328 paycheck being the biggest of his career. It seemed the UFC limited potential interactions between them for nothing, as Strickland also revealed he wouldn’t attack Chimaev if he saw him.

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