Dana White has fired back at Sean Strickland over his complaints about UFC pay and he didn’t exactly hold back! With ‘Tarzan’ publicly expressing his dissatisfaction with his earnings and even threatening to reconsider his future with the promotion, the UFC boss has pushed back against the criticism by pointing to the new contract Strickland signed in May.

Speaking to reporters after Week 10 of Season 10 of Dana White’s Contender Series, the head honcho took a swipe at Sean Strickland’s latest criticism of the promotion’s pay structure.

“I haven’t personally (heard what he said),” White said. “I’ve just heard through social media and stuff. But when isn’t Sean Strickland upset about something or doesn’t have something to say? Sean Strickland just signed a new contract in May. He just signed a new contract in May.

“He signed a new deal. Wasn’t that like, four months ago? Five months ago? He signed a new deal. And from what I hear, the number he’s putting out there, it’s not true. The number that he claimed he made is not true.”

Here Dana White was referring to the reported breakdown in negotiations over Strickland’s first middleweight title defense against Nassourdine Imavov. While the UFC middleweight champion has not publicly disclosed the exact figure he was offered, reports suggest the UFC proposed $400,000 to show and another $400,000 if he won the fight.

Strickland was reportedly asking for at least $1 million for the matchup. With the two sides unable to reach an agreement, the promotion instead moved forward with a Charles Oliveira vs. Diego Lopes BMF title fight for UFC 335 in December.

That appears to have pushed Strickland’s frustration over the edge. Taking to X, the middleweight champion said he was “kinda over it” unless something changed. He also brought Conor McGregor into the conversation, pointing to reports that ‘The Notorious’ earned $30 million for his 69-second loss to Max Holloway at UFC 329 as an example of the money top fighters can command.

However, White believes Strickland’s recently signed contract changes the conversation. As such, the figures suggesting $400K are not true.

The UFC CEO pointed out that the champion had even agreed to new terms just months ago, pushing back against the idea that he might’ve been left under an outdated deal.

“It is what it is,” he added. “If we were in a situation where he’d been under the same contract for a year, two years—he just signed a contract in May. He got a whole new deal in May.”

For now, neither side appears ready to back down. White has challenged Strickland’s account of his pay, while the champion continues to push for a bigger payday. But with five fights reportedly remaining on his UFC contract, the 35-year-old may have to look beyond the promotion if he wants to secure the kind of money he believes he deserves.

And he has already started considering that possibility. Strickland has floated a move to boxing, where a reported $15 million deal offered to another fighter has caught his attention.

Sean Strickland could make $15 million by leaving the UFC for boxing

Strickland has made it clear that he is open to stepping into the boxing ring once his UFC contractual obligations are settled. He has even called out Jake Paul for a potential matchup, suggesting that his future might not necessarily remain in MMA.

In the meantime, the middleweight champion has considered moving up to light heavyweight at 205 pounds just to finish out the remaining fights on his UFC contract. He appears willing to give up his title if it means avoiding the demanding weight cut to 185 pounds and taking on tough fights.

Responding to a fan on X, Sean Strickland made his stance clear.

“Yeah man, I wouldn’t even care to give up my belt and go to 205. Easier cut…” he wrote.

But the bigger attraction could be the money waiting in boxing. Strickland has repeatedly pointed to the reported $15 million offer made to Conor Benn by Zuffa Boxing, putting that figure firmly in the conversation surrounding his own future.

In fact, veteran MMA coach Ray Longo has also weighed in, and he seems to believe the champ is dead serious about his frustrations. Speaking on the Anik and Florian Podcast, Longo acknowledged the financial appeal of boxing while making it clear he doesn’t want ‘Tarzan’ to leave MMA.

“When he talks, I do believe there’s a sense of honesty… I don’t think he’s a bulls— artist,” he said. “So I hope he never goes that route, because when he speaks, I do listen… And, you know, let him go box for $15 million.”

Longo also believes the middleweight champion could make the transition to boxing without much trouble, pointing to the brutal toll MMA training takes on fighters compared to boxing.

“You got guys in your own organization that are killing each other,” he added.”You know, the training is totally different. It takes a way bigger toll on your body.

“I think Strickland can go in there and box 12 rounds like it’s nothing… And I think for him, because of the way he trains, it’s a no-brainer.”

Sean Strickland has even set his sights on boxing cruiserweight champ Jai Opetaia, who fights under White’s Zuffa Boxing banner. There’s just one big problem: Dana White doesn’t see that happening. Speaking with Nina Drama, the head honcho did not hesitate to dismiss the idea.

“I don’t think it ever goes good, crossing over to boxing with the MMA,” he said. “But Strickland is a tough guy and has hands.”

There’s also the fact that Dana White has barred active UFC fighters from pursuing boxing while under contract.

But there’s no denying that the champ’s striking-heavy style could make a boxing crossover an interesting option. Sean Strickland averages 5.98 significant strikes per minute with 42% accuracy, while recording just 0.66 takedowns per 15 minutes.

However, with five UFC fights reportedly remaining on his deal and the UFC CEO pushing back against his pay complaints, Strickland’s next move could come down to more than just who’s offering the biggest check. Before he can chase those boxing millions, he’ll have to figure out where things stand with the UFC.