Sean Strickland has stepped up on five-days notice to replace Kelvin Gastelum against Nassourdine Imavov in the UFC Vegas 67 main event on Jan. 14.
ESPN first reported the news on Monday and the fight promotion confirmed the development in a press release shortly thereafter.
“Due to injury, Kelvin Gastelum has been removed from his middleweight main event with Nassourdine Imavov. Replacing Gastelum will be UFC veteran Sean Strickland. As a result, this five-round bout will now take place at light heavyweight,” the press releases stated.
A disappointed Gastelum releases a statement on social media apologizing to Imavov, the UFC, his team, and the fans.
“I’m extremely disappointed to say the least. This not how I wanted to start 2023,” Gastelum wrote. “I worked my ass off & battled through a lot of adversary and was ready to put on a hell of a show this weekend. I apologize to Imavov, his camp as well as @ufc and all the fans.”
I’m extremely disappointed to say the least. This not how I wanted to start 2023.
— #OnAmission4Gold (@KelvinGastelum) January 9, 2023
I worked my ass off & battled through a lot of adversary and was ready to put on a hell of a show this weekend.
I apologize to Imavov, his camp as well as @ufc and all the fans. #OnAmission4Gold
Imavov (12-3) is riding a three-fight winning streak. He last fought in September, defeating Joaquin Buckley by unanimous decision. Strickland (25-5) is coming off back-to-back loses for the first time in his career.
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Kelvin Gastelum injured, Sean Strickland steps in to face Nassourdine Imavov at UFC Vegas 67
