Sean Strickland claims there's something wrong with people who like him
No.7-ranked middleweight Sean Strickland told his fans that there's something wrong with them if they like him. Strickland was being interviewed by 'The Schmo' when he said that those fans should "all look in the f*****g mirror."
'Tarzan' stepped in as a last-minute replacement for Kelvin Gastelum after the former interim title challenger pulled out of his headliner fight against Nassourdine Imavov in this year's first fight card – UFC Fight Night 217. Gastelum suffered a mouth injury, resulting in him pulling out of the bout.
The bout between Strickland and Imavov will be contested at 205lbs as opposed to middleweight (185lbs).
Skip to 2:19 for Strickland's dig at his audience:
Strickland told 'The Schmo':
"Let me tell you something, you guys. And this is 'The Schmo's' audience - if you guys like me, that's just saying something about yourselves. And you should look in the f*****g mirror and understand that you need to be better. Because, if you like me, there's something f*****g wrong with you guys."
Sean Strickland will face Nassourdine Imavov in the main event of UFC Fight Night 217, slated for January 14. The event, also billed as UFC Vegas 67, will take place at the UFC Apex Facility in Enterprise, Nevada.
First UFC main event of 2023 has underwent a last minute change. Gastelum out with a mouth injury, Sean Strickland has agreed to replace him against Imavov. Five rounds, but now 205 pounds per UFC officials. This is now back to back UFC events headlined by Strickland. https://t.co/ivg7VXl0qT
Will Sean Strickland find success in his light heavyweight debut?
Sean Strickland, who has fought at welterweight and middleweight, will start 2023 with a light heavyweight debut against Nassourdine Imavov.
Imavov was supposed to face Kelvin Gastelum at this weekend's UFC Fight Night 217. However, Gastelum suffered a mouth injury, forcing him to pull out of the bout on fight week. Sean Strickland stepped up to the challenge and the bout will be contested at light heavyweight.
Sean Strickland steps in to face @imavov1 in the headline bout for #UFCVegas67 
Back-to-back #UFC main events!! 🚨
GASTELUM OUT ❌ Sean Strickland steps in to face @imavov1 in the headline bout for #UFCVegas67 🔥 https://t.co/PLnMbJkmv9
The change in weight classes might have been due to Strickland not being able to make the middleweight limit at the last minute. Consequently, even Imavov will not have to cut much weight for this fight.
How will Strickland fare at 205lbs? To answer that, we will have to take a closer look at his opponent. 'The Russian Sniper' is a heavy hitter with five knockout victories in his career. Imavov has knocked out names like Ian Heinisch and Edmen Shahbazyan to surge up the rankings.
Strickland would do well to learn from his fight with Alex Pereira and not stand directly in front of Imavov.
It's difficult to pick a winner at this point because both fighters are fighting at 205lbs for the first time in their lives.