Kelvin Gastelum Out Of Main Event, Sean Strickland To Step In On Short Notice Against Nassourdine Imavov At UFC Vegas 67

The first main event of 2023 has experienced a huge change for this weekend.

The news was first broken by ESPN’s Brett Okamoto.

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

Kelvin Gastelum, who was scheduled to fight Nassourdine Imavov this weekend at UFC Vegas 67 is no longer going to happen due to a mouth injury.

Sean Strickland is now officially scheduled to step in on short-notice to fight Imavov, the only change to the bout is the weight class which is now going to be at 205lbs. This fight still stands as a 5-round main event.

Imavov, who is on a 3-fight win streak over the likes of Ian Heinisch, Edmen Shahbazyan and Joaquin Buckley is scheduled for his first-ever UFC main event this weekend, he is 12-3 with 5 wins coming by knockout, 4 by submission and 3 decision wins.

Strickland is coming off his first time being involved with back-to-back losses, at UFC 276 he lost to eventual UFC Middleweight champion Alex Pereira and last month he lost to Jared Cannonier by split decision.

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