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Sean Strickland unnerved by Nassourdine Imavov fight: ‘What’re the French best at? Giving up?’

Ahead of his upcoming UFC Vegas 67 headliner this weekend at the light heavyweight limit, middleweight contender, Sean Strickland appears unmoved by his matchup with Russian-born contender, Nassourdine Imavov, poking fun at the people of France – where the latter currently trains. Strickland, the current #7 ranked middleweight contender, replaces former interim title chaser, Kelvin […]

Strickland, the current #7 ranked middleweight contender, replaces former interim title chaser, Kelvin Gastelum this weekend in the UFC’s return to schedule, clashing with MMA Factory mainstay and Fernand Lopez trainee, Imavov.

Headlining the final event of last year, Strickland took main event honors at UFC Vegas 66 against one-time title challenger, Jared Cannonier, suffering a close, split decision loss. The defeat marked Strickland’s second consecutively following a KO loss to middleweight champion, Alex Pereira back in July of last year.

Previewing his matchup against the surging, Imavov this weekend, Strickland poked fun at the people of France, maintaining he was unconcerned with his clash with the Dagestan-born challenger.

“If we’ve learned anything about the French – what’re the French best at? Giving up,” Sean Strickland told assembled media during his media availability ahead of UFC Vegas 67. “I haven’t really watched him (Nassourdine Imavov) fight – I know he likes to bang, he throws big punches, but he’s still f*cking French, man.”

“That’s a hard thing to move past,” Sean Strickland continued. “There’s a lot of history of cowardice to move on from when you’re f*cking French. Maybe he’s gonna prove a statement, maybe he’s gonna say that his country’s finally left the cowardice behind, but I don’t f*cking know.” (Transcribed by MMA Mania)

Sean Strickland enjoyed a 7-fight undefeated run prior to last summer

Riding a seven-fight winning run before his knockout loss to current titleholder, Pereira, Strickland managed to chalk up wins over the likes of Brendan Allen, Uriah Hall, and Jack Hermansson during his impressive streak which saw him climb as high as #5 in the middleweight pile.

Nassourdine Imavov unphased by short notice opponent switch: “The end goal doesn’t change.”

Nassourdine Imavov refocuses on a new opponent and new weight class after Kelvin Gastelum gets injured. Nassourdine Imavov (12-3) is currently riding a three-fight win streak in the UFC Middleweight division. His impressive wins over Joaquin Buckley and Edmen Shahbazyan earned him his very first UFC main event against the former title challenger, Kelvin Gastelum. […]

Nassourdine Imavov refocuses on a new opponent and new weight class after Kelvin Gastelum gets injured.

Nassourdine Imavov (12-3) is currently riding a three-fight win streak in the UFC Middleweight division. His impressive wins over Joaquin Buckley and Edmen Shahbazyan earned him his very first UFC main event against the former title challenger, Kelvin Gastelum.

However, just days before the fight, Gastelum was forced to withdraw from the contest with an injury and number 7 ranked Middleweight, Sean Strickland stepped up on short notice to take on Imavov.

The new UFC Fight Night 217 main event will be a Light Heavyweight contest as Strickland cannot make 185 pounds on short notice. But, it seems as if Imavov isn’t bothered with the last-minute opponent or weight class change as he tweeted out the following video with the caption: “New opponent, new weight class, no problem.”

Nassourdine Imavov wishes his former opponent a speedy recovery

Nassourdine Imavov and Kelvin Gastelum were previously set to fight at UFC 273, but due to visa issues, Imavov had to pull out of the contest. The fight was rescheduled to take place on UFC Fight Night 217, but this time Gastelum had to withdraw due to a mouth injury.

Despite the unlucky timing, Imavov wished for a speedy recovery for his original opponent. Perhaps the third time will be the charm for these two elite Middleweights.

UFC Fight Night 217 goes down on January 14th, marking the first UFC event of the new year.

Kelvin Gastelum Speaks Out After Withdrawing From UFC Vegas 67

Former UFC interim middleweight title challenger Kelvin Gastelum has issued a statement after the news of his withdrawal from UFC Vegas 67. Gastelum was supposed to face Nassourdine Imavov on Saturday in the UFC Vegas 67 main event. It was set to be hi…

Continue Reading Kelvin Gastelum Speaks Out After Withdrawing From UFC Vegas 67 at MMA News.

Kelvin Gastelum, Sean Strickland now headlines UFC Vegas 67 against Nassourdine Imavov on January 14.

Former interim UFC middleweight title challenger, Kelvin Gastelum is out of his scheduled UFC Vegas 67 headliner against Nassourdine Imavov on January 14. – due to a mouth injury. As per an initial report from ESPN MMA reporter, Brett Okamoto as per UFC officials, Gastelum has been replaced by middleweight contender, Sean Strickland, who now […]

Former interim UFC middleweight title challenger, Kelvin Gastelum is out of his scheduled UFC Vegas 67 headliner against Nassourdine Imavov on January 14. – due to a mouth injury.

As per an initial report from ESPN MMA reporter, Brett Okamoto as per UFC officials, Gastelum has been replaced by middleweight contender, Sean Strickland, who now faces Imavov at a short notice light heavyweight limit on January 14.

“First UFC main event of 2023 has underwent a last-minute change,” Okamoto tweeted. “Gastelum out with a mouth injury, Sean Strickland has agreed to replace him against Imavov. Five rounds, but now 205 pounds per UFC officials. This is now back to back UFC events headlined by Strickland.”

First UFC main event of 2023 has underwent a last minute change. Gastelum out with a mouth injury, Sean Strickland has agreed to replace him against Imavov. Five rounds, but now 205 pounds per UFC officials. This is now back to back UFC events headlined by Strickland. pic.twitter.com/ivg7VXl0qT

— Brett Okamoto (@bokamotoESPN) January 9, 2023

Headlining UFC Vegas 66 just last month in the final promotional event of 2022, Sean Strickland suffered a close, contentious split decision loss against one-time title challenger, Jared Cannonier.

12-3 as a professional, Russian-born middleweight contender, Imavov is currently in the midst of a three-fight winning run, most recently beating Joaquin Buckley, to add to finishes over Edmen Shahbazyan, and Ian Heinisch.

Sean Strickland will attempt to snap a two-fight losing skid

Attempting to snap a run of two consecutive losses, Strickland dropped a stunning first round KO loss against current middleweight champion, Alex Pereira back in July of last year during International Fight Week.

Suffering from five losses in his last six promotional outings, Gastelum dropped back-to-back headliners against former champion, Robert Whittaker, and the aforenoted, Cannonier over the course of 2021.

Touted as a future top-contender at the middleweight limit, Imavov’s sole promotional loss came in a dubious decision defeat against Phil Hawes, following a debut success against Jordan Williams.

Seeing a seven-fight winning run halted against Pereira last summer, the outspoken Strickland most recently defeated Jack Hermansson in a main event tilt last February.

UFC Vegas 67 takes place on January 14. from the UFC Apex facility in Las Vegas, Nevada.