Former UFC middleweight champion Sean Strickland believes he deserves the next shot at the 185lb title, but has voiced his concern that his outspoken, controversial views may lead to the promotion overlooking him.
“If they give Robert (Whittaker) the title shot, it’s for one reason, it’s for one reason. They don’t want me holding this (microphone) on the main stage,” Strickland told Shak MMA.
“I’m next in line, dude, there’s no argument in it, it is a f****** fact if they give Whittaker the title shot then welcome to f****** Bud Light.”
UFC officials had appeared to he hesitant to give the 33-year-old Strickland a title shot last year too when they were seeking a replacement for Dricus du Plessis to fight Israel Adesanya at UFC 293 in Sydney, Australia.
However, at the time Adesanya claimed that he had managed to talk them into making the match-up a reality, clearly believing that he was going to make light work of the outspoken contender.
That’s not how things played out though, with the massive underdog Strickland going on to drop Adesanya early in the fight on his way to a shock upset victory that saw him become the unlikely new 185lb champ.
Strickland’s title reign only lasted three months though before being beaten by split-decision against du Plessis, but he still remains the No.1 contender in the division after since going on to beat Paulo Costa by split-decision last month.
As for former champion Whittaker, he’s moved up to No.3 in the division after picking up a unanimous decision win over Paulo Costa and KO victory against Ikram Aliskerov in 2024 so far.
