Sean Strickland expects Nassourdine Imavov to ‘quit’ (Video)

Sean Strickland is trying to begin this year180 levels in a different way than 2022 ended.

2022 didn’t finish on an excellent be aware for Sean Strickland, however he’s hoping to get 2023 off to a greater begin at UFC Vegas 67. Kelvin Gastelum was pressured off the cardboard as a consequence of harm and Strickland stepped in to face Nassourdine Imavov on quick discover. Strickland as soon as once more involves the UFC’s rescue and a win will go a protracted method to maintain him related at 185 kilos (though they’re preventing at 205).

Strickland’s 2022 run didn’t go in addition to he’d hoped, with a 1-2 file that 12 months. His final two fights have been defeats by the hands of Alex Pereira and Jared Cannonier. The Cannonier combat was an in depth battle that resulted in a break up resolution loss for Strickland, however Pereira wanted lower than three minutes to place him away at UFC 276.

“I used to be dwelling within the matrix,” Strickland stated. “Not one punch landed. I noticed every thing. However you’ve judges that don’t know [expletive] about preventing they usually see a giant scary Black man throwing punches and they’re like ‘that’s scary,’ he received the combat.”

Since becoming a member of the UFC in 2014, Strickland has put collectively a powerful resume within the firm. He’s 12-5 within the Octagon. 4 of these 5 losses symbolize Strickland’s struggles to succeed in title contender standing, as they’ve come in opposition to champions or prime contenders within the welterweight and middleweight divisions. General, he’ll carry a 25-5 skilled file into the competition in opposition to Imavov.

“Mick calls me and asks if I would like this combat, and he says we’ll pay you an honest amount of cash and I stated I’m your huckleberry so let’s go combat a person,” Strickland stated. “The one factor the French are good at is giving up and shedding fights.”

Nassourdine Imavov wants one other win to maneuver into the highest 10

Imavov is driving a three-fight win streak heading into the UFC Vegas 67 important occasion. He’s 4-1 within the Octagon and has a full file of 12-3 since his skilled debut again in 2016. These three current wins got here in opposition to Joaquin Buckley, Edmen Shahbazyan, and Ian Heinisch. Coming into this combat he’s ranked quantity 12 within the middleweight division.

UFC Vegas 67 takes place on Saturday, Jan. 14, 2022, stay from the UFC APEX in Las Vegas, NV. Observe together with FanSided MMA for all of your information and highlights.