Nassourdine Imavov picked up a big win over Jordan Williams in a battle of UFC newcomers at UFC Fight Island 4.
Contender Series winner Jordan Willams — who earned his UFC deal just weeks ago — made his octagon debut Saturday at UFC Fight Island 4. The quick turnaround bout came against newcomer Nassourdine Imavov and promised fireworks, given the finishing ability both men had shown thus far in their careers.
Jordan Williams also stood out for another reason: a Type 1 Diabetic, the DWCS alum had overcome the odds, and proven several doctors wrong, in making it to the UFC.
Williams looked to dart in and out in the opening seconds. Looking to land a big left hook, and he did. Williams dropped Imavov briefly with the left and then got a quick takedown. Imavov looked to clinch and Williams shrugged him off. Imavov began finding a home for the right hand and caused a big cut in the hairline of Williams. Imavov landed an absolutely brutal knee to the groin of Williams in the clinch that caused a halt to the action. Williams started off the break with a beautiful left hand that caused Imavov into survival mode. Imavov got the takedown and back briefly before Williams reversed and put Imavov to the fence. However, Imavov nearly got a guillotine choke in the final seconds of the round.
Off the break! @JWill_NCFA lands a beautiful left! #UFCFightIsland4 live on ESPN+ pic.twitter.com/hvOmkGY4V0
— UFC (@ufc) October 4, 2020
Williams looked to press the fight in the opening moments of round two, but he kept getting tagged with the right straight every time he moved in. Williams drove in for a takedown, and Imavov did a good job of stuffing the attempt. Williams and Ivanov exchanged hard shots in the pocket before Imavov drove in for a takedown. Imavov then separated and Williams began to noticeably tire. Imavov began to look for the front choke but Williams did a great job of scrambling. Imavov ended up on top after the scramble and rained down shots to end the round.
Williams started off fast in round three, but Imavov quickly turned the tables with a couple of hard right hands. Imavov got the fight into the clinch and landed some hard shots before separating. Imavov seemed to get hit hard with a headbutt but the referee didn’t call time. The two then traded some hard shots and Williams somehow stayed upright after a big combination following the headbutt. The referee then pulled the two out of a clinch roughly five seconds after they clinched up, it seems the referee is a “just bleed” type of fan. Imavov clinched up and landed some hard knees in the clinch before separating, and Williams ended the fight swinging for the finish after a rough third round.
Nassourdine Imavov def. Jordan Williams by Unanimous Decision (29-27 x2, 29-28)
