Brendan Allen backed Sean Strickland’s push for more money. Then he quickly said sorry to his bosses.
Allen submitted Christian Leroy Duncan with a fifth-round rear-naked choke in the UFC Vegas 122 main event on Saturday at the Meta APEX in Las Vegas. At his post-fight press conference, he was asked about Strickland’s ongoing pay dispute with the UFC.
Strickland, the middleweight champion, has floated vacating his belt, moving up to light heavyweight to finish out his contract and chasing a boxing payday. A planned title fight with Nassourdine Imavov at UFC 335 in December was pushed to next year, and talks have reportedly stalled over money. Unverified claims on social media say the UFC offered Strickland $400,000 to show and $400,000 to win.
Allen said he understands the frustration, even if he won’t make the same stand himself.
You’ll never hear me b—- about my pay, but I’ll never say that. F—-, I’d love to have more money. … So the guys that don’t need to fight, that can speak up and, you know, make those stances for more money, f—-ing God bless you. I wish I could do that.
I’m just a f—-ing dumb redneck from Louisiana, you know? I’m happy with what I get paid. I’m doing s—- people wish they could. There’s many people where I’m from that wish they could make what I make, that can do what I do.
He then gave Strickland credit for speaking up.
“So I’m very thankful. I don’t want to 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 statistics that are out there, we are underpaid.”
Allen immediately walked it back with an apology to UFC chief business officer Hunter Campbell. A clip of his comments spread quickly on X.
But f—- that, I ain’t trying to get canceled, at least from the bosses. I like my paycheck, f—-. They know I like my paycheck. I need that s—-. My car collection is still growing. My house still going. I didn’t mean nothing by it, Hunter. I apologize.
The No. 4-ranked middleweight improved to 28-7 with the win. In the cage, he called out former champion Dricus du Plessis.
I’m steady defending my spot. Doing what I need to do. The bosses see me doing that thing. I think we’ll be rewarded next. … Where’s the champion? If not, where’s Dickus? You’ve been running for a little while.
Brendan Allen praises Sean Strickland for speaking up about fighter pay 🤝
Hats off to Sean for speaking up and trying to get more money, because if you look at the scope of things, based on statistics, we are underpaid. I ain’t trying to get cancelled, at least not by the bosses.
