Sean Strickland to Headline UFC 335 This December
The middleweight champion will face Nassourdine Imavov at T-Mobile Arena on December 12, 2026.
Updated on Sept. 28, 2026 in Mixed Martial Arts
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Middleweight champion Sean Strickland is expected to return to the Octagon in Las Vegas to face top-ranked contender Nassourdine Imavov. The bout is planned as the headliner for UFC 335 at T-Mobile Arena on December 12, 2026.
Why it matters
The matchup pits the current titleholder against a surging contender who enters the contest on a five-fight winning streak. Negotiations regarding fighter pay remain ongoing before the event is officially finalized.
Nassourdine Imavov carries a five-fight winning streak into this bout, including high-profile knockouts of Israel Adesanya and Caio Borralho. The event is slated as the final numbered UFC card of 2026.
The players
Sean Strickland
The current UFC middleweight champion who won his title at UFC 328.
Nassourdine Imavov
The top-ranked middleweight contender currently on a five-fight winning streak.
The details
Strickland, who claimed the middleweight title by defeating Khamzat Chimaev at UFC 328 in Newark, is slated to defend his status at T-Mobile Arena. The promotion is working to close pay terms with both fighters for the December date. This event marks the final major UFC showcase in the valley for the calendar year.
Timeline
December 12, 2026: The scheduled date for the UFC 335 event at T-Mobile Arena.
May 2026: The month Sean Strickland defeated Khamzat Chimaev to win the title at UFC 328.
September 2026: A month in which Strickland was reportedly involved in an accident.
Beyond the Strip
This bout follows the division's trajectory established after the UFC 328 event held in Newark earlier this year. It marks the return of championship-level competition to the T-Mobile Arena to close out the 2026 season.
Residents should anticipate heavy traffic around the T-Mobile Arena and the resort corridor on the evening of December 12. Local commuters should plan for increased congestion near the Strip as the year concludes with this marquee event.
The takeaway
Fans should monitor official promotion announcements for the finalization of the fight card and ticket availability. Keep a close eye on the T-Mobile Arena event calendar as the December 12 date nears for any changes to the schedule.
Further reading
Find more updates on the upcoming fight card in our Mixed Martial Arts section.
Live Poll
Does the certainty of a main event matchup influence your decision to attend live sporting events?
