Demetrious Johnson gives career advice to ‘stuck’ Sean Strickland

Former UFC flyweight champion Demetrious Johnson offered career advice to UFC middleweight champion Sean Strickland regarding his ongoing public contract disputes. Strickland has voiced strong dissatisfaction with his UFC pay under his long-term deal and has contemplated leaving MMA for boxing or vacating his championship belt. Johnson suggested that Strickland needs to view his career situation through a straightforward binary lens of whether he actually wants to fight or walk away.

Johnson theorized that Strickland may have signed his current contract prior to fighting Khamzat Chimaev under the assumption he would lose, leaving him unexpectedly constrained by champion clauses. Johnson advised Strickland to publicly state his financial demands, fight out his remaining five bouts, or relinquish his belt entirely to pursue lucrative boxing opportunities like Francis Ngannou.