Joshua Van Disagrees With Sean Strickland’s UFC Pay Dispute

October 23, 2026

UFC flyweight titleholder Joshua Van recently voiced his disapproval regarding how middleweight champion Sean Strickland is handling his current financial disagreement with the promotion. During an appearance on a podcast hosted by former professional football player Robert Griffin III, Van argued that Strickland should have negotiated privately with leadership rather than airing grievances publicly on social media platforms.

Strickland has remained inactive since securing the middleweight belt against Khamzat Chimaev via a split decision at UFC 328, as he seeks increased compensation for a scheduled bout against Nassourdine Imavov.

Meanwhile, twenty-five-year-old Joshua Van is currently training for his next divisional defense, which is anticipated to take place early next year against leading challenger Manel Kape. The champion holds an eleven-and-one record inside the organization, having successfully defended his twelve-five-pound strap twice against Tatsuro Taira and Alexandre Pantoja.

Despite establishing himself as one of the top pound-for-pound competitors in the division, oddsmakers have listed Van as an unusual betting underdog heading into his upcoming matchup against Kape.