Brendan Allen Praises Sean Strickland for Speaking Up on UFC Fighter Pay
Brendan Allen offered measured support for Sean Strickland’s public stance on UFC fighter compensation during a recent interview, while making clear he has no personal complaints about his own earnings.
The comments came as Strickland, the current middleweight champion, has publicly expressed dissatisfaction with his contract situation and indicated he will not fight until the matter is resolved. Allen, who recently submitted Christian Leroy Duncan to remain ranked near the top of the division, responded when asked about the dispute involving his fellow middleweight.
“You’re trying to put me out there, ain’t you?” Allen said. “Hey, man, at the end of the day, you know, you’ll never hear me bitch about my pay, but I’ll never say that, fck, I’d love to have more money. Who want, who ain’t gonna wanna have more money?
So the guys that don’t need to fight the kids speak up and, you know, make those stances for more money, fcking, God bless you, I wish, I wish I could do that.”
Allen then placed his own situation in context.
“But I’m happy, I’m, I’m, like I said, I’m just a fcking dumb redneck from Louisiana, you know?” he continued. “I’m happy with what I get paid. I’m doing sht.
People wish they could. There’s many people where I’m from that wish they could make what I make. They can do what I do, so I’m very thankful.
I don’t wanna feel like I’m greedy or something like that, but, hats off to Sean for speaking up for trying to get more money, because if you look at the scope of things based on the, the statistics that are out there, we are underpaid.”
The Louisiana native closed by addressing the risk of speaking out. “But fck that, I ain’t trying to get cancelled. From, at least from the bosses. I like my paycheck for, they know I like my paycheck. I need that sht.
I need that sh*t. My, my car collection’s still growing. My house still going. I, I didn’t mean nothing by it, Hunter. Apologize.”
Strickland has recently taken to social media to criticize pay levels relative to other combat sports figures, including references to Conor McGregor and potential interest in boxing opportunities outside the UFC.
Reports have also circulated regarding a new multi-fight agreement Strickland signed ahead of his title-winning bout against Khamzat Chimaev, with sources indicating significant per-fight compensation.
The champion has framed his position around not wanting to continue under current terms and has floated alternatives such as completing his deal at light heavyweight.
Allen’s remarks highlight a common tension among ranked fighters: recognition that compensation across the roster may lag behind other sports, paired with personal contentment and a reluctance to risk future opportunities by criticizing the promotion directly.
As a top contender who has stayed active, Allen’s perspective adds another voice to the ongoing conversation about fighter pay without positioning himself as dissatisfied.
The middleweight division remains active, with Allen having just extended his win streak and Strickland’s next title defense still unannounced amid the public discussion.
How the UFC addresses the champion’s concerns could influence both the immediate title picture and broader conversations about compensation for contenders like Allen who continue to deliver results while expressing gratitude for their current deals.
