Nassourdine Imavov picked up a huge finish win at UFC 268, after demolishing Edmen Shahbazyan in the second round.
The shine might have come off Edmen Shahbazyan a little, after two straight losses in the UFC’s middleweight division. But the youngster still had plenty of upside — as did UFC 268 opponent Nassourdine Imavov.
Imavov, however, had been headed in the opposite direction lately, winning two of his first three UFC fights to date. He continued forward with that momentum on Saturday, leaving Shahbazyan at a crossroads in his career.
Shahbazyan opened up with some leg kicks, much more patient than what we’re used to seeing out of him. Imavov tried to walk his opponent down and cut off the cage, but couldn’t land much in the way of offense. Shahbazyan shot for a takedown up against the fence and eventually got it. Imavov got a decent guillotine choke in, but wasn’t able to get it fully. He did soon get back up to his feet, however. Imavov got more active to end the round, finding a home for his 1-2 on several occasions.
Shahbazyan started round two with a series of quick uppercuts before getting in on a single leg takedown, but was soon met with a tight guillotine choke that looked extremely tight. Shahbazyan fought his way out the first time, but was soon stuck in another submission attempt from Imavov. Despite some obvious adversity, he once again got out. Shahbazyan then countered with a guillotine choke of his own while Imavov shot for a takedown, but Imavov quickly scooted out of trouble.
That left Shahbazyan in a bad spot, on his back, tired, with his opponent on top. Imavov quickly sliced Shahbazyan open with a big elbow and then moved to side control. Imavov then moved to crucifix and then began dropping massive elbows that bloodied up Shahbazyan up even worse, and he had nowhere to go.
WHAT. A. BATTLE. ⚔️
🇫🇷 Nassourdine Imavov showing up and showing out tonight!
[ #UFC268 | Prelims are LIVE on ESPNews & ESPN+ ] pic.twitter.com/73HArSrg9J
— UFC (@ufc) November 7, 2021
A few elbows later and that was that, a huge finish win for Imavov. For Shahbazyan, it’s another rough night at the office.
Official Result: Nassourdine Imavov def. Edmen Shahbazyan by TKO, Round 2, 4:42
