Strickland to replace injured Gastelum in UFC main event vs. Imavov

Kelvin Gastelum is out of Saturday's main event against Nassourdine Imavov due to a mouth injury, according to ESPN's Brett Okamoto.

Sean Strickland has agreed to step in on short notice to face Imavov at 205 pounds rather than at middleweight, UFC officials told Okamoto. It's a five-round fight.

Strickland, who lost a split decision to Jared Cannonier in the final main event of 2022, will now try to get back into the win column in the UFC's first main event of 2023. The 31-year-old Strickland - currently the seventh-ranked middleweight - is on a two-fight skid.

Meanwhile, Imavov has won his last three fights, including a victory over Joaquin Buckley by unanimous decision in September. The 27-year-old ranks 12th in the division.

Gastelum, the 13th-ranked middleweight, hasn't fought since August 2021 after missing all of 2022 due to multiple injuries. He's won just one of his last six fights.