UFC Fight Night 217 pre-event facts: Sean Strickland can make history on short notice

The UFC will kick off its 2023 event schedule Saturday with UFC Fight Night 217, which takes place at the UFC Apex in Las Vegas with a card that streams on ESPN+.

After the originally scheduled main and co-main events of the card were altered, the promotion will proceed with a makeshift light heavyweight headliner. Sean Strickland (25-5 MMA, 12-5 UFC) will step in for the injured Kelvin Gastelum on just five days’ notice when he meets the streaking Nassourdine Imavov (12-3 MMA, 4-1 UFC).

For more on the numbers behind the card, check below for MMA Junkie’s pre-event facts for UFC Fight Night 217.