Former UFC middleweight champion Sean Strickland has labeled the promotion's pay structure as "predatory" ahead of his main event bout against Anthony Hernandez at UFC Fight Night in Houston. The outspoken fighter, making his 24th Octagon appearance, downplayed the significance of recent UFC bonuses raised to $100,000 while criticizing overall compensation.

Strickland compared fighter compensation unfavorably to other professional sports, arguing that if the NFL gives 70% of profits to players, UFC should follow a similar model. His comments come amid ongoing disputes about fighter pay, with an antitrust lawsuit previously alleging the UFC historically restricted compensation to just 13-20% of revenue.

The criticism highlights persistent tensions between fighters and the promotion over pay transparency and collective bargaining. Strickland warned that American MMA talent will gradually diminish as the UFC continues to outsource opportunities to fighters willing to accept lower pay, creating a concerning long-term trajectory for domestic fighters in the sport.