2023 started out the same way 2022 ended for the UFC: with Sean Strickland headlining a Fight Night card at the Apex.
Unlike 2022, Strickland walked away with his hand raised this time around, after stepping in on short notice against Nassourdine Imavov. Given he stepped in like that, the UFC allowed the contest to be fought at 205, ensuring Strickland wasn’t too dehydrated to fight effectively for five rounds. In fact, it was Imavov who slowed down over the course of the contest, despite having a full camp to prepare for the contest. The win doesn’t launch Strickland back into title talks, but it did reestablish himself as a top five caliber middleweight.