Nassourdine Imavov
Russian Sniper
France
Another easy win, title shot next?
Imavov defeated Caio Borralho via unanimous decision (50-45, 49-46, 49-46) at UFC Fight Night on Saturday in Paris.
ANALYSIS
In a matchup widely viewed as a No. 1 contender fight at 185 pounds, Imavov was the unquestioned better man from start to finish. It was he that controlled the pace of the fight the entire way, in addition to landing the much bigger strikes. Borralho never truly committed to his wrestling game, but Imavov did stuff all five takedown attempts sent his way. Nassourdine does a nice job of not getting sucked into brawls considering he typically does all his damage on the feet. A winner of five in a row, with victories over Borralho, Israel Adesanya, Brendan Allen, Jared Cannonier, and Roman Dolidze, Imavov should be next in line for Khamzat Chimaev's UFC Middleweight Championship. If he does indeed get the call, Imavov figures to be a substantial betting underdog.
In a matchup widely viewed as a No. 1 contender fight at 185 pounds, Imavov was the unquestioned better man from start to finish. It was he that controlled the pace of the fight the entire way, in addition to landing the much bigger strikes. Borralho never truly committed to his wrestling game, but Imavov did stuff all five takedown attempts sent his way. Nassourdine does a nice job of not getting sucked into brawls considering he typically does all his damage on the feet. A winner of five in a row, with victories over Borralho, Israel Adesanya, Brendan Allen, Jared Cannonier, and Roman Dolidze, Imavov should be next in line for Khamzat Chimaev's UFC Middleweight Championship. If he does indeed get the call, Imavov figures to be a substantial betting underdog.
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More Fantasy News
Another contender scheduled
Imavov is scheduled to compete against Caio Borralho in a five-round fight at UFC Paris on Sept. 6, per Damon Martin of MMA Fighting.
ANALYSIS
Imavov and Borralho will headline the UFC's next Paris card, meaning their fight is scheduled for championship rounds. By defeating an all-timer in Israel Adesanya, Imavov established himself as No. 1 contender to the UFC Middleweight Championship, held by Dricus Du Plessis. But because DDP is scheduled to defend his title against Khamzat Chimaev in August, it appears the promotion wants Imavov to defend his contendership status at least once before getting a shot for gold.
Imavov and Borralho will headline the UFC's next Paris card, meaning their fight is scheduled for championship rounds. By defeating an all-timer in Israel Adesanya, Imavov established himself as No. 1 contender to the UFC Middleweight Championship, held by Dricus Du Plessis. But because DDP is scheduled to defend his title against Khamzat Chimaev in August, it appears the promotion wants Imavov to defend his contendership status at least once before getting a shot for gold.
Earns biggest win of career
Imavov defeated Israel Adesanya via KO (punches) at 0:30 of Round 2 at UFC Fight Night on Saturday in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia.
ANALYSIS
It was the biggest fight of Imavov's career, and he passed the test with flying colors. Round 1 was a close, back-and-forth affair which all three judges awarded to Adesanya. Yet, Imavov remained aggressive to start Round 2, accidentally clipping Izzy with an eye poke. The latter said he was good to continue right away, and Imavov responded with a few huge blows that turned Adesanya's lights out in an instant. Referee Marc Goddard gave the former champion plenty of time to recover before pulling the plug. Known as more of a volume-over-power striker, it's nice to see Imavov display this type of finishing ability. It would also go on to win him a $50,000 Performance of the Night bonus. The 29-year-old Paris native has won four in a row, all over high-end competition (Adesanya, Brendan Allen, Jared Cannonier, Roman Dolidze). Imavov is going to be involved in a title-implicating fight his next time out at 185 pounds.
It was the biggest fight of Imavov's career, and he passed the test with flying colors. Round 1 was a close, back-and-forth affair which all three judges awarded to Adesanya. Yet, Imavov remained aggressive to start Round 2, accidentally clipping Izzy with an eye poke. The latter said he was good to continue right away, and Imavov responded with a few huge blows that turned Adesanya's lights out in an instant. Referee Marc Goddard gave the former champion plenty of time to recover before pulling the plug. Known as more of a volume-over-power striker, it's nice to see Imavov display this type of finishing ability. It would also go on to win him a $50,000 Performance of the Night bonus. The 29-year-old Paris native has won four in a row, all over high-end competition (Adesanya, Brendan Allen, Jared Cannonier, Roman Dolidze). Imavov is going to be involved in a title-implicating fight his next time out at 185 pounds.
Fighting Adesanya
Imavov will fight Israel Adesanya at UFC Saudi Arabia on Feb. 1, Marcel Dorff of Eurosport.nl reports.
ANALYSIS
Imavov defeated Brendan Allen in September to capture a third consecutive victory, but he will need to overcome a five-inch reach advantage to extend his win streak to four against a more-experienced opponent.
Imavov defeated Brendan Allen in September to capture a third consecutive victory, but he will need to overcome a five-inch reach advantage to extend his win streak to four against a more-experienced opponent.
Huge win in native Paris
Imavov defeated Brendan Allen via unanimous decision (29-28, 29-28, 29-28) at UFC Fight Night on Saturday in Paris.
ANALYSIS
It's another huge victory for Imavov in a key spot. He went about it in unconventional fashion. Nassourdine gave up an immediate takedown and spent all of Round 1 on his back. What looked like an easy night at the office for Allen turned into anything but. Imavov responded by stuffing all nine of Allen's takedown attempts over the course of the final ten minutes. Imavov wasn't all that active on the feet, a rarity for him, but he did nearly double Allen up (57-30) in terms of significant strikes landed. That -- combined with his ability to not be plastered to the mat once again -- earned him the win. imavov has lost once since July 2021 and that came against former UFC Middleweight Champion Sean Strickland. The 29-year-old is closing in on implicating bouts at 185 pounds.
It's another huge victory for Imavov in a key spot. He went about it in unconventional fashion. Nassourdine gave up an immediate takedown and spent all of Round 1 on his back. What looked like an easy night at the office for Allen turned into anything but. Imavov responded by stuffing all nine of Allen's takedown attempts over the course of the final ten minutes. Imavov wasn't all that active on the feet, a rarity for him, but he did nearly double Allen up (57-30) in terms of significant strikes landed. That -- combined with his ability to not be plastered to the mat once again -- earned him the win. imavov has lost once since July 2021 and that came against former UFC Middleweight Champion Sean Strickland. The 29-year-old is closing in on implicating bouts at 185 pounds.
New fight scheduled
Imavov is set to compete against Brendan Allen at UFC Paris on Sept. 28, MMAFighting.com reports.
ANALYSIS
Imavov will compete against Allen in the middleweight division. Imavov has won his last two outings but will likely look to avoid taking the fight to the ground, as Allen has won five of his last seven contests by rear naked choke submission.
Imavov will compete against Allen in the middleweight division. Imavov has won his last two outings but will likely look to avoid taking the fight to the ground, as Allen has won five of his last seven contests by rear naked choke submission.