Sean Strickland: Robert Whittaker ‘can get it after I get my belt back’

Sean Strickland has his sights set on fighting for the UFC middleweight title, no matter what the fans might be clamoring for.

Strickland earned a split decision win over Paulo Costa in the co-main event of UFC 302 this past month. Three weeks later, Robert Whittaker stopped Ikram Aliskerov in less than two minutes in the main event of UFC Saudi Arabia. With Dricus du Plessis and Israel Adesanya headlining UFC 305 in August for the 185-pound strap, the majority of MMA fans believe Strickland and Whittaker should battle it out in a No. 1 contender bout.

After losing the title to du Plessis at UFC 297 in January via a razor-close split decision, topped with the five-round win over Costa, Strickland feels as if he’s done enough to get a title shot, and shouldn’t need to fight Whittaker to solidify it.

“The thought that Whittaker gets a title shot before me is f*cking wild,” Strickland wrote on Twitter. “Bro, you’re 0-3 [against du Plessis and Adesanya], with a stoppage. I beat both those c*nts.

“Do rankings matter? Do the right thing UFC.”

A fan stated his opinion that Strickland should fight Whittaker in his next bout, and Strickland disagreed. However, the fan-favorite says he’s certainly open to facing “The Reaper,” but he’ll do so after he regains his title.

“He can get it after I win my belt back,” Strickland responded.