Imavov Destroys Borralho at UFC: Next Challenge to Chimaev?

Imavov Establishes Himself as a UFC Middleweight Title Contender

The UFC middleweight division has taken a new turn after Nassourdine Imavov’s outstanding victory over Caio Borralho in Paris. Imavov demonstrated his worth with an impressive performance, solidifying himself as a potential title contender. Before his audience, Imavov (17-4) secured his fifth consecutive victory. The judges awarded a unanimous score of 50-45, 49-46, and 49-46, confirming his dominance in the fight. This victory could propel Imavov to a championship fight against Khamzat Chimaev. The UFC has scheduled another high-profile matchup in October between Anthony Hernandez and Reinier de Ridder, which could define Chimaev’s next opponent.

“Considering the circumstances, I am very happy with my performance. In my right foot, a tendon or something like that came loose. It was very painful. I would have liked to get the finish, but it is what it is. I am next. Borralho was undefeated for 10 years. I just beat him and I beat him with style. I need to be next.”

Nassourdine Imavov

According to UFC statistics, Imavov surpassed Borralho in total strikes by a narrow margin of 100-90. Imavov’s offense was much more precise and effective, dodging Borralho’s strikes and counterattacking throughout the fight. In addition, he maintained a strong presence in the center of the octagon, cutting off Borralho’s exits and defending all his takedown attempts. This was Borralho’s first loss in the UFC and his first loss since 2015.

“Nassourdine was simply the better man today,” Borralho said. “He was very fast, as I expected. I couldn’t attack much. I wanted it to be entertaining for the fans and the UFC, so I tried to trade blows with one of the best strikers in the world. I think I need to get my adrenaline back. I need something, not motivation, but I was without adrenaline and couldn’t get it back in this fight.” It was a disappointing night for The Fighting Nerds, the Brazilian MMA team that has stood out in recent years with viral knockouts and performance bonuses. In addition to Borralho’s defeat, lightweight Mauricio Ruffy also suffered his first defeat in the UFC. Ruffy was outmatched by Benoit Saint Denis, who submitted him with a rear naked choke in the second round. French fighters had an outstanding performance, with a 5-0 record on Saturday’s card. Veteran light heavyweight Paul Craig announced his retirement after a TKO loss to Modestas Bukauskas.