Sean Strickland began the new year with a much-needed victory.
Strickland, replacing Kelvin Gastelum in the headline bout of UFC Fight Night 217 Saturday, downed Nassourdine Imavov via decision. All three judges ruled in favor of Strickland.
Strickland finished off 2022 in the main event and stepped in on short notice to begin 2023 in the headline bout of a fight night card.
The action took place from the UFC Apex in Las Vegas, airing live on ESPN+.
Dan Ige earned himself a second round finish in the co-main event, flooring Damon Jackson for his 16th career win. The victory snapped a three-fight losing skid for the 31-year-old and marked his 10th career win by stoppage.
Roman Kopylov finished Punahele Soriano, Raquel Pennington earned a split decision vs. Ketlen Vieira and Umar Nurmagomedov knocked out Raonio Barcelos.
On the prelims, Javid Basharat, Abdual Razak Alhassan, Mateusz Rebecki, Allan Nascimento, Daniel Argueta and Charles Johnson all scored wins.
UFC Fight Night 217 Results
Sean Strickland def. Nassourdine Imavov via unanimous decision
Dan Ige def. Damon Jackson via KO (strike) at 4:13 of Round 2
Roman Kopylov def. Punahele Soriano via TKO (strikes) at 3:19 of Round 2
Raquel Pennington def. Ketlen Vieira via split decision
Umar Nurmagomedov def. Raoni Barcelos via KO (strike) at 4:40 of Round 1
Javid Basharat def. Mateus Mendonca via unanimous decision
Abdul Razak Alhassan def. Claudio Ribeiro via KO (strike) at :28 of Round 2
Mateusz Rebecki def. Nick Fiore via unanimous decision
Allan Nascimento def. Carlos Hernandez via submission (rear-naked choke) at 3:16 of Round 1
Daniel Argueta def. Nick Aguirre via unanimous decision
Charles Johnson def. Jimmy Flick via TKO (strikes) at 4:33 of Round 1
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