Former UFC middleweight champion Sean Strickland is the latest big-name star to question Dana White’s current passion for Mixed Martial Arts.
Sean Strickland will look to reclaim the UFC middleweight throne when he faces the undefeated Khamzat Chimaev at UFC 328 next month in Newark. Ahead of UFC 328, Strickland and Chimaev have traded personal attacks, and fight week is expected to be as eventful as ever between these two longtime adversaries.
Chimaev vs. Strickland is one of the biggest fights in recent UFC middleweight history, after the former training partners threatened each other recently in separate media appearances. UFC CEO Dana White promises a high-security presence in Newark ahead of UFC 328 to keep the two rivals away from each other.
But White’s passion for Mixed Martial Arts has come into question in recent weeks by the likes of Israel Adesanya, Matt Brown, and other top names. After launching Zuffa Boxing earlier this year, White’s passion for promoting upcoming fights has seemed to be lacking the same fire he once had, as noticed by some fans, pundits, and fighters.
Add Strickland to the list of those questioning White’s current role as a promoter, as he questioned the longtime UFC headman in his usual, colorful way.
Sean Strickland bashes Dana White just before UFC 328 return vs. Khamzat Chimaev
In a recent media scrum at the UFC Performance Institute, Strickland was asked about the perception that White has ‘checked out’ from promoting the combat sports juggernaut.
“It’s just the UFC does this,” Strickland said of White’s current promotional strategy.
“They go find these like s—– f—— people in these third-world f—— countries, and it’s like, do you really give a f— about a French guy that doesn’t even claim f—— France? Do you really want to see Imavov after he gets done f—— off his prayer rug to go f—— fight? No, you don’t want to see that s—, bro. UFC is ruining the sport.
“Dana White goes, and Dana White makes a lot of money,” Strickland continued. “All the yachts, all the everything… but the guy created this thing that we go die over [the UFC belt]… chasing like this fake thing. I appreciate fighting for kind of what it is. It gave me this chance, this opportunity—but I’m not gonna go jerk off over a piece of metal that makes somebody rich. How many more yachts do you need?” (h/t Bloody Elbow)
Strickland is far from the only one to question White’s role in recent weeks. White’s longtime critic, Jake Paul, blames the UFC head for a perceived downturn in fan interest in events so far in 2026.
What is your prediction for Khamzat Chimaev vs. Sean Strickland? Let us know in the comments!
