LAS VEGAS – Nassourdine Imavov doesn’t think he should have too much trouble with Sean Strickland at UFC Fight Night 217, so long as he keeps mentally strong.
Imavov (12-3 MMA, 4-1 UFC) was originally supposed to fight Kelvin Gastelum in Saturday’s headliner, but when an injury occurred days out from the event, Strickland (25-5 MMA, 12-5 UFC) stepped up and took the fight, which will now be contested at light heavyweight from the UFC Apex. The card streams on ESPN+.
With little time to scout each other, Strickland said pre-fight that he’s not looking much into his opponent. He did criticize Imavov’s French connections, however, predicting that he would “give up” in the fight. That’s part of Strickland’s schtick, though, and Imavov said he needs to be cautious about the talk from now until both men are locked in the octagon.
