Sean Strickland vs. Nassourdine Imavov reportedly in the works for UFC 335 main event

Multiple sources are reporting that Sean Strickland and Nassourdine Imavov are being targeted for the main event of UFC 335, scheduled for December 12, though the bout has not been officially announced.

Strickland, known as "Tarzan," holds the middleweight championship and carries a 31-7-0 record. The 35-year-old American, who trains out of Xtreme Couture, is one of the most active pressure strikers in the division, averaging an exceptional 6.04 significant strikes per minute with a six-foot-one frame and a 76-inch reach. His wrestling is measured but present, with 0.71 takedown attempts per 15 minutes rounding out a well-tested game.

Imavov, the French contender nicknamed "The Sniper," enters this reported matchup ranked third at middleweight and carrying a 17-4-0 record. At 30 years old and representing MMA Factory, the six-foot-three Frenchman brings a notably sharper striking accuracy of 54 percent alongside 4.28 significant strikes landed per minute. He also shows a more active submission threat, averaging one attempt per 15 minutes, giving him a multi-dimensional offensive profile.

Why it matters

• Strickland defending against the division's third-ranked contender would be a legitimate title fight with real stakes at 185 pounds.
• Imavov's size advantage at six-foot-three compared to Strickland's six-foot-one could be a meaningful factor in a striker-versus-striker matchup between two orthodox fighters.
• A Strickland win would further solidify his reign; an Imavov victory would hand France its first UFC middleweight champion.
• The December 12 date for UFC 335 suggests a high-profile end-of-year card, and a championship main event would fit that billing.