Jorge Masvidal Tells $18 Billion Worth UFC to Not Mess Up Ilia Topuria vs Paddy Pimblett and Sean Strickland’s Pay

Jorge Masvidal has built up a media profile with his analyst role on Paramount+ show, Deep Waters, alongside Dustin Poirier and Chris Weidman. He had much to say about the possibility of Ilia Topuria vs Paddy Pimblett superfight and Sean Strickland complaining about pay.

Topuria lost the lightweight belt at UFC Freedom 250 to Justin Gaethje. After that, he was given a 180-day medical suspension. At the moment, ‘El Matador’ may get an immediate title rematch or a bout against Pimblett in his return bout.

If the promotion decides to move forward with Pimblett vs Topuria superfight, Masvidal has huge expectations for that fight. The UFC veteran believed that the all-time UFC attendance record could be broken by the involvement of Topuria and Pimblett.

This is the biggest fight you can make. If they told you, like, ‘We’ve got to fill up a 100,000-person stadium somewhere in Europe or anywhere in the world,’ Paddy is a star in America. This dude would sell out T-Mobile Arena in America, and then you have Ilia, who has all of Latin America. You put both of these guys together, numbers-wise, this is the biggest fight the UFC can make.

Jorge Masvidal told Full Mount MMA

👀🤩Jorge Masvidal says Topuria vs. Paddy is the BIGGEST UFC fight that can be made right now, even bigger than Jones comeback: “This is the biggest fight you can make. If they told you, like, ‘We’ve got to fill up a 100,000-person stadium somewhere in Europe or anywhere in the world,’ Paddy is a star in America. This dude would sell out T-Mobile Arena in America, and then you have Ilia, who has all of Latin America. You put both of these guys together, numbers-wise, this is the biggest fight the UFC can make.”

— Full Mount MMA (@MMAFullMount) October 9, 2026

Dana White already admitted that Topuria vs Pimblett without a title on the line remained good enough for a major headlining spot. Moreover, Pimblett offered to welcome the former lightweight champion back to the octagon.

Masvidal is right in his assessment that the superfight between Topuria and Pimblett would be a sellout. However, White is not a fan of stadium shows. As such, it remains to be seen how the $18 billion company will figure out the biggest fight that the UFC can make right now.

Jorge Masvidal wants more pay for UFC middleweight champion Sean Strickland

For UFC 335 in December, Sean Strickland was supposed to defend his middleweight title against Nassourdine Imavov. However, the UFC surprisingly booked Charles Oliveira vs Diego Lopes for the BMF title.

Reports suggested that Strickland asked for more money that led to a negotiation stalemate. Since then, Strickland threatened to leave the UFC for boxing. He brought up the fact about Conor McGregor getting paid $30 million for UFC 329, but he cannot get a fraction of that paycheck.

Masvidal has always advocated higher pay for UFC fighters. As such, he supported Strickland in wanting to get paid in an interview with Home of Fight’s Jake Noecker.

We’re at a good place, getting 1.3 billion dollars a year, why can you not pay this guy? Pay these guys more, UFC. It shouldn’t even be an option to go box Jake Paul.

Jorge Masvidal told Home of Fight

UFC signed a major $7.7 billion deal with Paramount+, but fighters are still complaining about the pay. It remains to be seen if Strickland and the promotion can come to an agreement in the near future.

Sean Strickland outlines next plans after wanting more pay from the UFC

Strickland is known for his outspoken nature. He will not hesitate to talk trash to anyone. As such, the UFC and Strickland has had a love-hate relationship for the most part.

Strickland publicly called out Dana White’s claim that fighter pay had gone up. He also voiced his frustrations upon not being able to attend UFC Freedom 250 at the White House.

Nevertheless, the UFC uses him strategically to boost their revenues such as pushing him towards a title shot against Khamzat Chimaev at UFC 328 despite having Imavov as another option.

With how things are turning out, the middleweight champion revealed his next steps after holding out for more pay.

I will not fight or sign any contract until I get this figured out Hopefully we get it figured out soon Thanks for all your support it helps! 👊

— Sean Strickland (@SStricklandMMA) October 9, 2026

In the coming weeks, the UFC and Strickland are likely to discuss favorable terms. Fans will hope to see everything resolved and for Strickland to return back to the octagon early next year.

Also Read:

• Sean Strickland Exposes UFC for Underpaying and Blasts Nassourdine Imavov for ‘Cringe’ Confrontation
• “I Want to See Him Prosper” – Justin Gaethje Hopes to See Ilia Topuria Become Champion in Surprise Admission