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Joe Pyfer supports Sean Strickland venting about his pay.

It’s clear that UFC has been planning to book a rematch between Strickland and Nassourdine Imavov, but the reigning middleweight champion has taken exception to his current pay situation. Strickland isn’t happy about Zuffa giving the likes of Conor McGregor and pro boxer Conor Benn millions while UFC fighters only see a small fraction of that money.

Strickland has even suggested the possibility of vacating the middleweight gold and fighting out of his contract at 205 pounds. In an interview with MMA head coach Tim Welch, Pyfer said that while he has no issues with the UFC brass, he gets where Strickland is coming from (h/t MMAJunkie).

“I respect it because you know what your worth is,” Pyfer told Tim Welch. “This isn’t a shot at Hunter (Campbell) or Dana (White), but I think all of us deserve more pay for the sport that we do at the level that we do it. Let’s use myself as an example. If you’re No. 4 in any other sport, you’re making millions, and we’re not making millions. I think Sean made over $1 million maybe guaranteed or something with Khamzat, and now he’s not making that.

“He’s probably on the 50-50 pay, and he can’t seem to make sense why he’s rematching a guy he already beat for less money than he won the title for. I understand it, and I think it’s fair. (Zuffa Boxing) did give Conor Benn $15 million guaranteed, and we’re out here fighting for pennies on the dollar compared to that, and we have to do so much more to our bodies, and so much work. So yeah, I support it. I agree. I understand. I also understand Imavov. I think Imavov, rightfully so, deserves the title shot. He’s nasty. He’s good.”

UFC CEO Dana White has responded to Strickland’s rant, telling media members that the 185-pound titleholder signed his new deal back in May. White also said there isn’t a day where Strickland isn’t ticked off by something.

Where do you stand on the Sean Strickland situation? Do you agree with Joe Pyfer, or should Strickland just lay low and honor the contract he signed? Drop a comment below.

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