Sean Strickland takes swipe at Nassourdine Imavov ahead of UFC Fight Night

Sean Strickland has claimed France has a ‘history of cowardice’ and believes Saturday night’s opponent Nassourdine Imavov will ‘give up’. 

The American has stepped up on just five days’ notice to fight the 27-year-old Russian-born Frenchman after Kelvin Gastelum was forced into a late withdrawal due to injury. 

Having been knocked out by Alex Pereira and then beaten by split decision against Jared Cannonier, Strickland is desperate to return to winning ways in a bout at light-heavyweight. 

Sean Strickland has stepped up on late notice to fight Nassourdine Imavov this weekend

Imavov is on a three-fight winning streak and could hand Strickland his third successive loss

The controversial character said: ‘I don’t even know how to f***ing say that name, man. 

‘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.

‘So maybe he’s going to prove a statement. Maybe he’s going to say that his country has left the cowardice behind, I don’t f***ing know. 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.’

Strickland recently lost a decision against Jared Cannonier and is out to bounce back 

Strickland was knocked out by Alex Pereira last year in brutal fashion at UFC 276 

Strickland also reflected on his last two outings, saying: ‘I got knocked out by a big f***ing Brazilian (Pereira) four, five months ago and I kind of fought like a b***h (against Cannonier). 

‘I kinda fought like a b***h. We can agree. … I don’t f***ing know (what I’ll do differently this time). Listen to the coaches, maybe.’

Imavov has won his last three fights and is ranked No 12 at middleweight, with Strickland above him at No 7. 

UFC fighter Kelvin Gastelum shared gruesome pictures of his latest mouth injury

Gastelum being forced to pull out was a blow so no doubt the UFC will be grateful for Strickland stepping up. 

In a video shared on social media, Gastelum showed why he had to miss out, posting a gruesome clip of his teeth being stitched into his gums. 

In that Tweet, he wrote: ‘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.’