Strickland Gold ShimmerIn the Clinch: Strickland Steps In, Faces Imavov, UFC Vegas 67The injury bug continues to hound the UFC’s first card of 2023, but Sean Strickland has stepped up to save the main event.

An inadvertent knee to the face in training forced Kelvin Gastelum to pull out of the main event and he shared a vivid video on Twitter that showed his teeth being sewn back on.

Ain’t technology wonderful? A speedy recovery to Kelvin.

This fight is now a five-round light heavyweight affair instead of a middleweight one. This is to give Strickland a chance to make weight on short notice. Fair play on that front.

On paper, the advantage has to go to Nassourdine Imavov (12-3-0), 27, who comes in with a three-fight win streak and some momentum. He has the slight height and reach advantages and is a bit more versatile as he can finish on the ground as well with strikes.

Strickland (25-5-0), 31, can hold his own with anyone on the feet, but hasn’t submitted anyone in nearly nine years. He must use the first few rounds to put something in Imavov’s face and make him respect his striking. He’s got to punish any takedown attempts and make this fight dirty and uncomfortable for Imavov.

The UFC is making this fight worth Strickland’s while as he said during media day that he was planning a snowboarding trip when he got the call from Mick Maynard. He also said he wasn’t in great shape. Is he playing possum hoping to catch Imavov off guard? Possibly.

I say possibly because Strickland looked pretty comfortable at media day. Once again, he cracked jokes and played with the media like he usually does. He must have something up his sleeve for Imavov.

We’ll just have to see on Saturday.

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