Sean Strickland Will Face Nassourdine Imavov at UFC 335

The middleweight champion is expected to headline the year-end event in Las Vegas on December 12, 2026.

Updated on Sept. 28, 2026 in Mixed Martial Arts

Sean Strickland Will Face Nassourdine Imavov at UFC 335

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Middleweight champion Sean Strickland is slated to return to the octagon against top contender Nassourdine Imavov at UFC 335. The event will be held at the T-Mobile Arena on December 12, 2026.

Why it matters

The bout features the reigning titleholder against the division's top-ranked contender, Nassourdine Imavov. Imavov earned his spot through a dominant five-fight winning streak that includes knockout victories over Israel Adesanya and Caio Borralho.

Nassourdine Imavov enters the matchup on a five-fight winning streak, featuring knockout victories against Israel Adesanya and Caio Borralho. Sean Strickland secured his current middleweight title at UFC 328 in May 2026 after defeating Khamzat Chimaev.

The players

Sean Strickland

He is the current UFC middleweight champion who earned his title in May 2026.

Nassourdine Imavov

He is the top-ranked middleweight contender currently riding a five-fight winning streak.

The details

Strickland and the promotion are currently engaged in negotiations regarding fighter pay to finalize the bout. The matchup is set to serve as the main event for UFC 335, which marks the final numbered card of the 2026 calendar year.

May 2026: Sean Strickland defeated Khamzat Chimaev at UFC 328.
September 2026: Sean Strickland was involved in an accident.
December 12, 2026: UFC 335 takes place at the T-Mobile Arena.

Season Trajectory

This headlining bout at UFC 335 establishes the championship standard for the conclusion of the 2026 competitive year. The fight follows the title victory set at the UFC 328 middleweight title fight, defining the hierarchy of the division entering the new year.

The bout is set to headline the final numbered event of 2026, anchoring the year-end pay-per-view card. As the champion faces the division's top-ranked contender, the outcome will dictate the middleweight rankings heading into 2027.

The takeaway

The finalized negotiations will determine if the middleweight championship is defended in the final major card of the year. Fans should monitor the official UFC fight announcement to confirm the bout order for the December event.