Sean Strickland, number seven in the UFC middleweight rankings, explained what he expects from the fight against Dagestan-born Frenchman Nassourdin Imavov.
I don't even know how to say that name. Let's call him the Frenchie. And if we've learned anything about the French – what are the French best at? Giving up. So, I haven't really watched him fight. I know he likes to bang. I know he likes to throw big punches, but he's still f***ing French, man. There's a lot of history of cowardice to move on from when you're f***ing French. Only thing the French are good at is having affairs and giving up and losing fights. But we'll f***ing find out. Maybe he's different.
Sean Strickland on his press conference
Imavov, 27, has a streak of three straight wins. He had his last fight, which took place in September 2022 at UFC Fight Night 209, against Joaquin Buckley. This confrontation went all the three rounds and ended with the victory of Nassourdin by unanimous decision of the judges. Imavov had 12 wins and three losses.
Strickland, 31, had his last fight during the main event of UFC Fight Night 216, which took place on December 18. That time he was opposed by Jared Cannonier. After five rounds, Cannonier won by split decision. This is the second loss in a row for Sean. Previously, he lost by knockout in the first round to current champion Alex Pereira at UFC 276. Shawn has 25 wins and four losses under his belt in mixed martial arts.