Brendan Allen Backs Strickland in UFC Pay Fight

Brendan Allen says he supports Sean Strickland's push for better fighter pay, but he made clear he has no interest in picking a public fight with UFC management over his own contract.

Allen addressed the subject at the UFC Vegas 122 post-fight press conference, days after Strickland's pay complaints went public. Strickland, the reigning UFC middleweight champion, has been vocal about his displeasure with his current deal even as the promotion looks to line him up for a rematch with Nassourdine Imavov.

"You'll never hear me complain about my pay, but I'd love to have more money," Allen said. "The guys that don't need to fight, that can speak up and make those stances for money, God bless you. I wish I could do that. I'm just a dumb redneck from Louisiana. I'm happy with what I get paid. I'm doing stuff people wish they could."

Allen went further, acknowledging that fighters as a whole are underpaid relative to the money the sport generates, even while insisting he isn't looking to rock the boat.

"There's many people where I'm from that wish they could make what I make, that can do what I do," Allen said. "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. But I ain't trying to get canceled, at least from the bosses. I like my paycheck. They know I like my paycheck. I need that. My car collection is still growing. My house is still going. I didn't mean nothing by it, Hunter. I apologize."

What This Means for Strickland's Pay Standoff

Allen's comments add another voice to the growing chorus of fighters sympathetic to Strickland's position, even as most of them stop short of demanding changes themselves. Strickland remains the UFC middleweight champion and is still the presumptive favorite to defend his belt against Imavov, so his pay dispute has not derailed his standing at 185 pounds. But the public nature of his frustration, now echoed by a ranked contender in Allen, keeps pressure on the promotion at a time when fighter compensation is already a hot-button topic across the roster.

Allen's Win Over Duncan Raises His Own Stock

Allen strengthened his own case for a bigger payday by headlining UFC Vegas 122 and submitting Christian Leroy Duncan with a third-round guillotine choke, snapping Duncan's five-fight winning streak. The victory keeps Allen firmly in the middleweight title conversation, and he has made clear he wants a fight with Dricus du Plessis next, framing it as a grudge match that could put him in line for a shot at Strickland's belt down the road. If that fight gets made, bettors should expect Allen to open as a live underdog or pick given his recent form, and his willingness to stay on the UFC's good side rather than push for pay like Strickland could matter when it comes to how quickly the promotion rewards him with that opportunity.

Frequently Asked Questions

What did Brendan Allen say about Sean Strickland's fighter pay comments?

Brendan Allen said he supports Sean Strickland speaking out about UFC fighter pay and agrees fighters are underpaid, but said he personally won't complain since he's happy with his own paycheck.

Did Brendan Allen win his fight at UFC Vegas 122?

Yes, Brendan Allen submitted Christian Leroy Duncan with a third-round guillotine choke in the UFC Vegas 122 main event, ending Duncan's five-fight winning streak.

Who does Brendan Allen want to fight next?

Brendan Allen is pushing for a matchup against Dricus du Plessis, which he hopes will eventually lead to a UFC middleweight title shot.