UFC legend explains why Nassourdine Imavov can handle Sean Stricklands pressure

Jorge Masvidal sees Nassourdine Imavov being a serious challenge for UFC middleweight champion Sean Strickland.

Strickland (31-7 MMA, 18-7 UFC) is expected to run things back with Imavov (17-4 MMA, 9-2 UFC) for his first title defense. Stickland upset Khamzat Chimaev to claim the belt at UFC 328 in May.

Strickland defeated Imavov in a short-notice light heavyweight bout in January 2023. However, Imavov has since won five fights in a row, most recently outstriking Caio Borralho at UFC Fight Night 258 this past September. Masvidal thinks Imavov has leveled up.

"I'm excited about that fight, great fight," Masvidal said on "Deep Waters." "I like Imavov. He's a sniper. He's real, real technical. You can tell with the way he's fighting, he's always thinking a couple steps ahead. He's like, 'If the guy does this, I'm going to do that,' and Sean's just all energy, just coming forward with that pressure.

"I think this is going to be an amazing fight. Also, Imavov has been out for a while. ... Imavov has a good style also to deal with the Strickland pressure. I'm going to go with Strickland, though. I think it's going to be a tough fight for Sean. The speed, his athleticism, the timing, his distance management."

Strickland confirmed that the plan is indeed to fight Imavov next, but a date is yet to be revealed.

"Yeah (we're) working out pay now," he wrote on X.

This article originally appeared on MMA Junkie: UFC legend explains why Nassourdine Imavov can handle Sean Strickland's pressure