Sean Strickland Set to Defend Title in 2027 Amid UFC Pay Dispute

Sean Strickland is expected to defend his middleweight title against Nassourdine Imavov in 2027, with the UFC planning the event in Florida. This development comes amidst Strickland's ongoing financial disagreements with the promotion.

Mike Bohn from MMA Junkie indicated that the fight is nearly finalized for February, although the UFC has yet to officially announce the event. The promotion has scheduled three events for 2027, but nothing has been confirmed for Miami in February.

Strickland's recent social media posts have expressed his dissatisfaction with the UFC's pay structure. He has claimed that his compensation is significantly lower than what other fighters, like Conor McGregor, receive. Despite these disputes, the matchup with Imavov appears to be moving forward, following a heated confrontation between the two fighters at the UFC Performance Institute.