Sean Strickland Replaces Kelvin Gastelum in UFC Fight Night 217 Headliner

Injury forces Gastelm out of Saturday's planned main event at UFC Apex in Las Vegas.

LAS VEGAS—The UFC's first event of 2023 is getting a new look.

Promotion officials announced Monday that Kelvin Gastelum has been forced to withdraw from Saturday's UFC Fight Night 217 headliner, and instead, fellow middleweight contender Sean Strickland has agreed to step in on short notice and face Nassourdine Imavov in the night's main event.

Strickland and Imavov will headline the card, which streams live in its entirety on UFC Fight Pass from the UFC Apex.

Strickland (25-5 MMA, 12-5 UFC) is currently sitting at No. 7 in the UFC's official middleweight rankings. He last saw action on December 17, when he suffered a frustrating split-decision loss to fellow top contender Jared Cannonier. Strickland now returns to action four weeks later to try and get back in the win column.

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Meanwhile, the Dagestan-born Imavov (12-3 MMA, 4-1 UFC), who currently lives and trains in France, enters the fight on the strength of three consecutive wins, taking out the likes of Joaquin Buckley, Edmen Shahbazyan and Ian Heinisch. Imavov is currently No. 12 in the UFC's official rankings and could take a huge step forward with another victory.

A timetable for Gastelum's return to action was not immediately available, but he took to Twitter to express his frustration.

I’m extremely disappointed to say the least. This not how I wanted to start 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

— #OnAmission4Gold (@KelvinGastelum) January 9, 2023

I have the best support system! 😍
Love you all! 🫶 Appreciate you all that send good energy and your kind words.

— #OnAmission4Gold (@KelvinGastelum) January 9, 2023

ESPN's Brett Okamoto said a mouth injury was to blame for Gastelum's withdrawal.

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. pic.twitter.com/ivg7VXl0qT

— Brett Okamoto (@bokamotoESPN) January 9, 2023