Kelvin Gastelum Out, Sean Strickland Steps In vs. Imavov At UFC Vegas 67

Sean Strickland and Uriah Hall, UFC Vegas 33
LAS VEGAS, NEVADA - JULY 31: (L-R) Sean Strickland punches Uriah Hall of Jamaica in a middleweight fight during the UFC Fight Night event at UFC APEX on July 31, 2021 in Las Vegas, Nevada. (Photo by Chris Unger/Zuffa LLC)

Las Vegas, NV – New year same MMA as the first main event of 2023 fell through when Kelvin Gastelum withdrew from his main event bout at UFC Vegas 67 against Nassourdine Imavov due to injury.

First reported by ESPN.

Gastelum reportedly suffered a mouth injury that took him out of the fight.

Lucky for us middleweight Sean Strickland is always game for a fight. He steps in against Imavov on short notice. The fight will be contested at 205-pounds, and will be a five round main event.

Imavov (12-3) is currently riding a three-fight win streak with victories over Joaquin Buckley, Ian Heinisch and Edmen Shahbazyan. The #12 ranked middleweight looks to continue the streak and break into the top 10.

Strickland (25-5) will headline his second consecutive event after ending 2022 at the UFC APEX against Jared Cannonier. He lost the bout via decision.