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UFC middleweight champion Strickland calls for boxing move under Zuffa banner

Sean Strickland, who reclaimed the UFC middleweight title in May by defeating Khamzat Chimaev, has publicly expressed a desire to compete in boxing, stating a preference for a fight organised under the Zuffa banner.

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UFC middleweight champion Strickland calls for boxing move under Zuffa banner
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Sean Strickland wants to take his boxing-heavy style out of the Octagon and into the squared circle. The two-time UFC middleweight champion posted on X on 19 September 2026 that he is actively seeking a professional boxing bout, with Zuffa as his preferred promoter.

“I love MMA but I want to box,” Strickland wrote. “Prefer Zuffa but if they can’t make that happen…”

The 185-pound champion is no stranger to standing and trading. His game inside the Octagon leans heavily on sharp, technical boxing, a style that helped him reclaim the middleweight title in May with a victory over Khamzat Chimaev. That win marked his second reign as champion.

Strickland’s next MMA assignment is already taking shape, with a title defence against Nassourdine Imavov reported to be in the works. Whether a boxing crossover could be slotted around or after that defence remains unclear, and no opponent, date, or formal agreement has been announced.

The call-out adds Strickland to a growing list of combat sports athletes who have sought to test themselves across disciplines. His preference for Zuffa — the parent entity behind the UFC — suggests he would rather keep any boxing venture within a familiar promotional structure than pursue an independent deal.

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