Brendan Allen Responds to Sean Strickland’s Contract Standoff After UFC Vegas 122 Win
Brendan Allen cautiously addressed Sean Strickland’s high-stakes contract dispute with the UFC following his main event victory at UFC Vegas 122.
Following a fifth-round submission victory over Christian Leroy Duncan at UFC Vegas 122, Brendan Allen addressed the explosive contract standoff involving Sean Strickland.
The middleweight champion recently issued an ultimatum, vowing to refuse all upcoming bouts until his financial terms are met. His feud with the promotion caught the MMA community off guard because Strickland still has five fights left on the six-fight contract he signed before beating Khamzat Chimaev.
When asked about the champion’s aggressive stance, Allen praised Strickland's fight for a higher paycheck but admitted he has too many bills to risk a similar standoff.
Brendan Allen Agrees With Sean Strickland But Plays It Safe
Allen headlined the Meta APEX card in Las Vegas as the promotion’s #5-ranked middleweight contender. By forcing the #10-ranked Christian Leroy Duncan to tap out via submission at 2:46 of the fifth round, the 30-year-old Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu black belt advanced his professional record to 28-7 and extended his current UFC winning streak to four.
At the post-fight press conference, reporters asked Allen if he agreed with Strickland’s complaints about UFC pay. Allen said he did not want to sound greedy, but would welcome more money.
"I'd love to have more money," Allen said. "So the guys that don't need to fight, they can speak up and, you know, make those stands for more money. God bless you. I wish I could do that. But I'm happy. I'm just a dumb redneck from Louisiana, you know? I'm happy with what I get paid."
However, he backed Strickland's broader point about fighter compensation based on industry data, adding, "Hats off to Sean for speaking up, for trying to get more money, because if you look at the scope of things, based on statistics, we are underpaid."
He also clarified that he has no plans to join the standoff or risk his relationship with UFC executives.
"I ain't trying to get canceled, at least from the bosses," Allen said. "I like my paycheck. They know I like my paycheck. I need that. My car collection is still growing. My house is still going."
Strickland, 35, won the middleweight title in May with a split-decision victory over Khamzat Chimaev at UFC 328. Shortly after, Conor McGregor returned from a five-year layoff and reportedly made $30 million for a comeback fight that lasted just 69 seconds at UFC 329.
Strickland Upset Over Pay Scale
"Tarzan" bluntly compared his own earnings to McGregor’s payday, posting this week that he will not fight or sign a new contract until the UFC settles the dispute. Because of the drama, his title defense against Nassourdine Imavov remains unbooked, leaving UFC 335 without a title fight. He even pursued a crossover boxing match against Zuffa Boxing cruiserweight champion Jai Opetaia, which Dana White bluntly rejected.
Allen addressed the champion's absence as well after his victory. Speaking in the octagon with Michael Bisping, Allen asked where Strickland was and called out Dricus du Plessis. He added that if Strickland refuses to fight, he should vacate the belt so Allen and Imavov can fight for the title.
