UFC middleweights looking to add their names to the title shot list met at UFC Paris on Saturday, as Nassourdine Imavov and Brendan Allen did battle in France.
#4 Imavov (14-4) brought his 6-2-1 UFC record into UFC Paris riding a two-fight win streak with victories over Jared Cannonier and Roman Dolidze respectively.
#8 Allen (24-5) was on a tear putting together a 7-fight win streak and looking to force his way into the top 5 and a title shot.
Both men had plenty to say about each other in the lead up to the fight, but Allen alleged that ‘corrupt’ French officials forced him to go through extra drug testing that Imavov did not have to do. Nothing official has been released by the UFC or French officials on the matter as of fight night.
Allen went right to work in Saturday’s co-main event, firing a couple of punches then landing an early takedown. With over four and a half minutes on the clock and 1/1 in takedowns, Allen worked from side control, looking to set up an arm-triangle choke. A full two minutes would tick away, with Allen then finding himself in half guard after attempting to move to mount. Allen never did make it to mount, but finished the round in control, spending over four minutes on top and avoiding damage all but entirely.
Round two saw Imavov poke Allen in the eye seconds in, as Allen was closing the distance. After a brief pause, they went back to work, Allen driving Imavov into the fence, looking for another takedown. This time, Imavov sprawled, pushed Allen’s head down, and stuffed the attempt. When Allen flipped to his back, tryin to lure Imavov into his guard, France’s Imavov politely declined, stepping back and waving Allen up.
Moments later, Allen shot for another takedown, with Imavov again stuffing the attempt, sprawling. That allowed him to land a punch or two from the back. Allen then wound up on his back, Imavov firing hammer fists! When they got back up, Allen returned fire, and a back-and-forth battle ensued for a few moments before a single-leg takedown attempt from Allen. That was stuffed by Imavov, who had clearly learned in round one that he did not want to be on his back under Allen.
Between rounds, Allen’s corner suggested that the fight was 1-1, trying to boost their fighter up by saying “you’re better than him.” Still, a sloppy takedown by Allen was easily stuffed, with Imavov again ending up on top, in guard. Backing off and avoiding an upkick, Imavov attempted to land a heavy, diving ground strike. Allen would make it back up, however, again looking for a single-leg takedown only for Imavov to stuff it.
In the final minute, the pair opened up, both fighters swinging hard. Neither found the knockout blow, Allen saw one more takedown stuffed, and off to the scorecards they went with Imavov likely up.
“My objective now is the belt,” Imavov said following the victory, which saw 29-28 scores awarded on all three scorecards. He addressed Dana White and the matchmakers, saying he had “proved himself” in terms of a title shot.
Official Result: Nassourdine Imavov def. Brendan Allen by unanimous decision (29-28, 29-28, 29-28)
