Sean Strickland has given his reason for seemingly turning down a booking against Paulo Costa.
Advertisement
Costa is coming off a unanimous decision loss against Robert Whittaker at UFC 298 in February, where the Brazilian put on a gritty performance in his return to action after a year and a half.
“Borrachinha” was reportedly in talks about a potential clash with
Jared
Cannonier next before the
Ultimate Fighting Championship abruptly suggested the
Strickland booking. While Costa was even more excited about
fighting “Tarzan,” the former champ seemingly turned down the
offer.
“This is great stuff. UFC, suggest I fight [Jared] Cannonier. It’s a nice fight and I love the idea to fight Cannonier and they suggest that fight for June,” Costa said on The Coach and The Casual podcast
“But then, two days ago UFC come and say, ‘Paulo, you fight Strickland on June 1.’ It’s a great fight, it’s a fun fight. You know, even [more fun] than Cannonier, I think. Unfortunately, I don’t know what happened. Strickland said no. Strickland, he refused to fight me, unfortunately. That’s what the UFC told me, you know. I just have this information from UFC. I think this fight, it would be great. I would love to fight him.”
Not one to shy away from speaking his mind, Strickland responded with a comment on Costa’s Instagram post sharing the interview. The former champion alluded that he turned the booking down as the price wasn’t right.
“I didn’t say no.. I said ‘how much,’” Strickland wrote.
Strickland was dethroned by Dricus Du Plessis via split decision at UFC 297 in January and has since been rallying for a rematch against “Stillknocks."
« Previous Andre Muniz vs. Ikram Aliskerov Booked for UFC Fight Night on June 15
Next Free Agent Paul Hughes Open to Future Clash With 'Sh—ebag' Paddy Pimblett »
More