Nassourdine Imavov

With the middleweight division booming, the UFC seemingly set up an unofficial tournament between the four main contenders to see whose performance would stand out of the pack. The first of those matchups was between Nassourdine Imavov and Caio Borralho. While the Frenchman was in control the entire fight, it’s not like he put on the type of show that will raise his profile dramatically. Additionally, he mentioned a foot injury in his post-fight interview. Now, was that just an attempt at saving face for not getting even close to a finish or a genuine explanation for how the fight played out? I guess we won’t know, but with the way the fight looked combined with a potential injury, there are valid reasons to doubt Imavov’s chances at being the next title challenger.

However, Imavov was already the most deserving challenger when he knocked out Israel Adesanya in February. Add to that a clean victory over a rising Borralho who hadn’t lost in 10 years? As of right now, there’s no question he has earned his title shot.

Imavov’s next fight: Title shot

Benoit Saint Denis

After a rough 2024 capped off by a true ass-kicking in front of his own crowd, Saint Denis was looking to gain back some of that momentum he had back in 2023. He first bounced back in May (at UFC 315, beating Kyle Prepolec) and was now facing the highly touted Mauricio Ruffy. After dominating the opening round, BSD got the fight back down to the mat and found a rear-naked choke along the fence. Now winner of back-to-back fights, Saint Denis called out Arman Tsarukyan and Mateusz Gamrot for a fight at Madison Square Garden. While I think Tsarukyan is a long shot, Gamrot is a very smart and realistic callout. Enough so that I don’t mind at all fulfilling his wish.

Saint Denis’ next fight: Mateusz Gamrot

Modestas Bukauskas

After fighting his way back to the promotion, The Baltic Gladiator was looking to go 6-1 since joining the UFC again in 2023. There’s no doubt putting the veteran Paul Craig out with a buzzer-beating elbow is Bukauskas’ most important win to date. Now winner of four straight, he has built a case for a shot at the rankings. I think any of Johnny Walker, Zhang Mingyang and Alonzo Menifield are fine options, but I went with Nikita Krylov. On the wrong end of two straight knockout losses, Krylov needs a step back in competition and Bukauskas represents that type of test he needs at this moment in time.

Bukauskas’ next fight: Nikita Krylov

Mason Jones

After going 1-2 (1) in his first UFC stint, it’s easy to forget that at 30 years of age, Mason Jones is only now entering the prime of his career. He suffered losses to Mike Davis and Ludovit Klein as a 25 and 27-year-old and his sole win for over David Onama, a now top15-ranked featherweight. The Welsh fighter was now looking to add to his successful comeback in May against Jeremy Stephens. He overcame a scare in the first round and got the TKO finish in the second after getting to full mount. Why not put Jones up against another lightweight prospect on his second UFC stint? China’s Rongzhu is also on a two-fight win streak after going 1-2 in his first run. Let’s see which of the two can keep their streak going.

Jones’ next fight: Rongzhu

Axel Sola

The undefeated 27-year-old Sola was making his UFC debut as one of the bigger prospects on the French MMA scene. With a former Ares champion with four title defences facing a former two-time Cage Warriors champion, it was the Frenchman Sola who came out on top. After a back-and-forth in the first two rounds, Sola’s knockdown and follow up shots forced Herb Dean to step in despite the fact that McKee was working his way back up. Stoppage controversy aside, it was a successful debut for the prospect Sola. With the adversity McKee offered, there’s no reason to rush Sola up the queue. I think someone like the veteran Song Kenan would be an appropriate test for where Sola is at, right now.

Sola’s next fight: Song Kenan

William Gomis

After suffering his first UFC setback in March, the Frenchman Gomis was welcoming KSW champion Robert Ruchala. It looked like what we’ve come to expect from Gomis: a technical yet tepid decision. Getting the win is always the most important thing, but Gomis has yet to produce a signature highlight in the now three years since he joined the promotion. For that reason, I doubt he will be rewarded with a name any bigger than Ruchala’s. I think Andre Fili, who’s coming off a win from a month ago, is exactly the kind of name the UFC will be looking at.

Gomis’ next fight: Andre Fili

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Imavov, to some, had already done enough to warrant a title shot. Borralho, ranked slightly back on the French 185’er, was looking to jump into his spot, all with Reinier de Ridder vs. Anthony Hernandez winning. Almost certainly, the winner of either Imavov vs. Borralho or de Ridder vs. Hernandez was set to be next in line.

Borralho opened with a high kick as the action got underway, working from the outside. Imavov methodically moved forward, blocking another high kick, and firing his right hand. Imavov fired a kick to the thigh, but neither fighter committed on anything big through the opening 90 seconds. Imavov, of course, had to be wary of the takedown.

When Borralho did change levels, Imavov caught him in a headlock; they’d eventually separate, and go back to something of a chess match.

Not a ton if significant strikes from either man in round one. Round two saw Borralho continue to mix up his kicking attacks, before closing the distance with some looping hooks. Imavov remained light on his feet, holding center and fending off the Brazilian’s attacks. Again, when Borralho changed levels looking for a takedown, it wasn’t the most explosive, with Imavov stuffing the attempt. Quite easily at that. The striking opened up after that, Borralho soon showing some damage around the face.

Early in the third, Imavov clipped Borralho coming in, leaving him reeling. The pair clinched up briefly, but stayed standing, no doubt to the advantage of Nassourdine Imavov. Borralho then signaled that he’d been hit low, leading to the ref, Marc Goddard, halting the action. That gave Caio a chance to recover, and once the action resumed, it was Borralho connecting with a left hand. Imavov stumbled a step, but didn’t go down. And moments later, an eye poke landed by Imavov halted the action again.

Following a warning, the pair clinched up; after breaking, Imavov landed at least two or three punches in a combination. There was an argument the fight was 30-27 heading into round four; at best, Borralho might have stolen the third, unlikely as it might seem.

Borralho came out a little more active in round four, mixing up his strikes. Imavov, however, was right there with an answer, his right hand crisp. Just over a minute in, Borralho was grazed by a low blow but chose to fight on without any recovery time. A takedown attempt came closer for Borralho later in the round, but he just couldn’t complete it. Worse, the Brazilian was clearly tiring, while Imavov still looked fresh. Imavov’s punches were crisper, his speed a step quicker.

Round fifth had Caio Borralho in need of a finish in a fight he had been trailing in almost from the outset. But Imavov hadn’t slowed. A couple of minutes in, Borralho managed to land solid, backing Imavov up. Imavov returned fire, and connected with a low kick. His right hand hit the mark again. Borralho was in need of a knockout blow, or a submission. Instead, another eye poke landed on Borralho, halting the action. A hard warning followed but no point deduction. That was no help to Borralho, given how far behind he was trailing. They’d fight to the horn, but no takedown would come, no finish was to be had for the Brazilian. Imavov came on strong at the end, en route to a lopsided victory.

Official Result: Nassourdine Imavov def. Caio Borralo by unanimous decision (50-45, 49-46, 49-46)

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Imavov vs. Borralho has obvious title implications, with the winner in prime position to challenge new champ Khamzat Chimaev either in late 2025 or early 2026. That, however, isn’t a guaranteed title shot, as October also sees Reinier de Ridder face Anthony Hernandez in Vancouver. If you look at these fights as an audition in the suddenly wide open 185lb division, then it feels as if the biggest performance will be next in line.

UFC Paris is far from a one-trick pony, however. In an era of Fight Night cards that feel hastily assembled or just plain afterthoughts, the promotion’s return to the Accor Arena in Paris features some solid names – and some hotly anticipated debuts. Among them, former Cage Warriors champ Harry Hardwick, ex-PFL champ Ante Delija, former KSW champ Robert Ruchala, and ARES FC champ Axel Sola.

Weigh-ins for UFC Paris take place Friday morning, full results can be found below.

UFC Paris: Imavov vs. Borralho Weigh-In Results

Main card

Middleweight: Nassourdine Imavov (185) vs. Caio Borralho (185)
Lightweight: Benoît Saint Denis (155) vs. Maurício Ruffy (156)
Light Heavyweight: Modestas Bukauskas (205) vs. Paul Craig (205)
Lightweight: Bolaji Oki (156) vs. Mason Jones (156)
Welterweight: Axel Sola (170) vs. Rhys McKee (170)
Featherweight: Patrício Pitbull (145) vs. Losene Keita (149)*

Preliminary card

Featherweight: William Gomis (145) vs. Robert Ruchała (146)
Light Heavyweight: Oumar Sy (206) vs. Brendson Ribeiro (206)
Heavyweight: Marcin Tybura (256) vs. Ante Delija (239)
Lightweight: Harry Hardwick (156) vs. Kauê Fernandes (155)
Welterweight: Sam Patterson (170) vs. Trey Waters (171)
Middleweight: Brad Tavares (186) vs. Robert Bryczek (186)
Welterweight: Andreas Gustafsson (171) vs. Rinat Fakhretdinov (170)
Women’s Strawweight: Shauna Bannon (116) vs. Sam Hughes (116)

* Keita missed weight by 3 pounds. As a result the fight has been canceled. 

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Perhaps that’s due to Borralho’s approach to promoting the bout. The Fighting Nerds standout has suggested that the French fans will not support Imavov, a Dagestani-born Russian who has called France home for years. It’s an approach other fighters have taken in the past, namely Joaquin Buckley when he made the trip to Paris.

“First of all, we all know it’s a lie. He’s not surprised that the French people are behind me, because they’ve always been behind me,” Imavov (16-4, 1NC) stated during Wednesday’s UFC Paris media day. “He will see it at the weigh-in, he will see it at the fight. So there is no surprise here, just a lie as usual.”

“And second of all, I represent France at the highest level, but my blood is Dagestani, is Russian, and that’s what I represent too.”

The tactic didn’t work for Buckley, who lost a unanimous decision when the UFC debuted in Paris in 2022. It seems unlikely, no matter who wins, that it will have more of an effect this time around.

A bigger question, however, is the title picture. Some would say Nassourdine Imavov has done enough to deserve a title shot, but names like Reinier de Ridder and Anthony Hernandez, set to face off in October, are also in the mix to face Khamzat Chimaev next.

Asked what he needs to do to secure a title shot, “I need to win,” replied Imavov. “First of all, I think I’ve already done enough to prove myself and to put myself in this position. But of course, I’m looking for a finish as usual.”

Watch the full UFC Paris media day appearance by Nassourdine Imavov above.

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Imavov (16-4, 1NC) will face Brazil’s Caio Borralho (17-1, 1NC) atop the Fight Night card, set for the Accor Arena on September 6, 2025. Promotion officials announced the booking on Monday.

Imavov is ranked #1 overall in the middleweight division according to the UFC’s official rankings. Borralho clocks in at #5.

Initially, Imavov had accepted a back-up role for UFC 319, which sees current middleweight champion Dricus Du Plessis look to defend his title opposite Khamzat Chimaev. The French star recently announced a chance in plans, however. Now we know why.

Nassourdine Imavov will enter UFC Paris off a win over Israel Adesanya, his fourth straight victory in a run that has seen him defeat Jared Cannonier, Roman Dolidze, and Brendan Allen as well.

Caio Borralho has also been on a tear in the UFC’s 185lb division. A member of the red-hot Fighting Nerds gym in Brazil, “The Natural” is undefeated in the octagon, having won seven straight bouts. He has not fought since an August 2024 victory over Jared Cannonier, however he did defeat Brendan Allen in a grappling match this past February.

No other fights have been announced or reported for the 2025 edition of UFC Paris, which marks the promotion’s fourth visit to the French capital.

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Nassourdine Imavov

Imavov earned by far the biggest win of his career, stopping the former champion Adesanya early into round two. The Frenchman came into the UFC at a young age, but now 28 and having won four consecutive fights against top 10 opposition, he seems to finally be coming into his own. A win of this magnitude would guarantee a title shot just about every time, but the landscape at 185 will probably force Imavov to earn another win before fighting for the belt.

We can pretty much assume that Khamzat Chimaev will draw the winner of the Dricus Du Plessis and Sean Strickland rematch going down this upcoming weekend. If Chimaev can fight in the U.S., then that fight could take place during the summer. If not, then he will most likely have to wait until October again when the UFC goes back to Abu Dhabi. Either way, with Chimaev calling dibs on the next middleweight title shot, Imavov won’t be able to simply sit this one out until he’s next. Maybe his next fight can be on the same card as Chimaev’s title shot and he can serve as an unofficial backup in case someone pulls out.

Robert Whittaker and Anthony Hernandez, should he beat Brendan Allen later this month, are fine options, but the best number 1 contender matchup available for Imavov is Caio Borralho. The Brazilian is undefeated in the UFC, having won all six of his fights and has not lost since his second ever professional fight back in 2015. He’s also the poster boy for Fighting Nerds, a gym with a lot of momentum behind them. It’s the right matchup.

Imavov’s next fight: Caio Borralho

Michael Page

The man they call MVP went up in weight for fun one-off fight against undefeated prospect Shara “Bullet” Magomedov. Undefeated no more is Magomedov after he became victim number 23 on Page’s record. This was a good showing by MVP who needed to bounce back after losing to Ian Machado Garry back in June. He will turn 38 in April, so if he’s going to muster any form of title run, it needed to start on Saturday.

At the post-fight conference, Dana White expressed interest in maybe booking Page against Leon Edwards in England at some point. But for the time being, Edwards is booked in late March against Jack Della Maddalena, so that idea will have to wait. In the meantime, MVP should be calling for Colby Covington. Despite his last couple poor showings, Covington is still a big name ranked inside the top10. A win over him would allow Page to crack the top10 and then maybe set up that Leon Edwards fight that could springboard him to the title.

Time is of the essence for MVP so he needs to target fights that will garner a lot of attention if he’s going to fast track himself to the belt. And Colby Covington can provide that.

Page’s next fight: Colby Covington

Sergei Pavlovich

It wasn’t too long ago that Pavlovich was seen as the next big thing at heavyweight with six consecutive first-round KO wins over names like Derrick Lewis, Tai Tuivasa and Curtis Blaydes. However, after losing his last two fights, the Russian badly needed a win against perennial ranked contender Jairzinho Rozenstruik. It wasn’t the most impressive performance nor the most exciting fight, but Pavlovich ultimately got the job done.

Getting his hand raised was the priority and he accomplished that, but the nature of the win won’t do him any favours if he was aiming to get back into the promotion’s good graces. I don’t think he will get a number 1 contender fight after this, nor should he.

There is a fight going down in London next month between Marcin Tybura and undefeated prospect Mick Parkin. Pavlovich can fight the winner of that bout.

Pavlovich’s next fight: Tybura/Parkin winner

Vinicius Oliveira

Fans have been wondering for years who would win between Nurmagomedov and Oliveira and we finally got our answer! All kidding aside, this was a solid win for Lok Dog who managed to defeat a high-level opponent despite a rib injury.

There is a cluster of rising contenders on win streaks at bantamweight. Names like Aiemann Zahabi, Marcus McGhee, Montel Jackson, Daniel Marcos, Farid Basharat are all at the tail-end of the rankings or outside of them completely. With this win, Oliveira put himself in that tier of fighters. You can match them up any which way and get a good fight out of it. I ultimately went with Marcus McGhee.

Oliveira’s next fight: Marcus McGhee

Fares Ziam

Not unlike the bantamweight division, lightweight also has a cluster of streaking contenders who are all worthy of fighting ranked opposition. Two of the names in that cluster of fighters were Fares Ziam and Mike Davis. Only one of their four-fight win streaks would be able to get to five, and it was Ziam’s.

Just like his fellow Frenchman Imavov, Ziam came into the UFC at a very young age and after a couple of early stumbles, he now appears to be putting it all together just as he’s about to turn 28. Now riding the third longest win streak in the division, Ziam’s case for a ranked opponent should be undeniable. Jalin Turner, who has lost two of his last three, should have to defend his #13 ranking if he is to stay at 155.

Ziam’s next fight: Jalin Turner

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UFC President and CEO Dana White announced the bonus following the event, with the promotion rewarding debutant Bogdan Grad, Nassourdine Imavov, and Vinicius Oliveira vs. Said Nurmagomedov when the dust had settled.

Grad, a 2024 Contender Series winner, made an emphatic statement in his promotional debut, where he finished Lucas Alexander by TKO. Alexander, it’s worth mentioning, had come in 2.5lbs heavy for the featherweight fight. That earned Grad one Performance of the Night bonus.

Nassourdine Imavov shocked just about everyone in the UFC Saudi Arabia main event, meanwhile. A strong opening round from Adesanya appeared to have him back in fine form. But in the second, Imavov connected with a right hand that snapped the former champ’s head to the side, removed his equilibrium from the equation, and sent him crashing to the canvas. Without question, it was a statement victory by France’s Imavov, and the biggest of his career. It also earn him the night’s other Performance bonus.

Fight of the Night honors at UFC Saudi Arabia went to the bantamweight scrap between Vinicius Oliveira and Said Nurmagomedov, with Brazil’s Oliveira earning the win on the scorecards.

All four bonus-winning fighters will pocket $50,000 U.S. on top of their purse and outfitting pay.

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Adesanya (24-4) came into the fight needing to snap a two-fight losing streak with losses to Sean Strickland and the current champion Dricus du Plessis. His last victory came in 2023 when he earned his title back from Alex Pereira in Poatan’s last 185 pound fight.

Imavov (15-4) had a ton to gain in this one as a victory would surely put him on the very short list for fighters up next for the belt. Riding a three-fight win streak with victories over Roman Dolidze, Jared Cannonier and Brendan Allen. The time to make his case for a title shot was at UFC Saudi Arabia.

Round 1 Adesanya comes out with a kicking attack going low and high. Imavov had enough of that as he shot in with a double leg, then he slid up, tried to get the trip, Adesanya was able to figure it out and reverse it.

Imavov continued to try takedowns, but the former champion was able to stuff them without using too much energy. The game plan for Imavov is clear. Get Adesanya down and wear him out.

Imavov landed a big right hand that sent Adesanya to the fence. Imavov landed a couple more shots before Adesanya found his way out of the position.

Adesanya ends the round with a kick to the body.

Round 2 Imavov took the middle of the octagon and he landed a massive right hand that put Adesanya on the canvas! He swarmed the former champion and finished him via TKO!

Official Result: Nassourdine Imavov def. Israel Adesanya via R2 KO, 0:30

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Israel Adesanya, two-time UFC middleweight champion, was returning to action in a non-title fight against Nassourdine Imavov, a surging French contender looking to throw his name in the hat for the next title shot. For Adesanya, it was his first non-title fight since 2019, when he defeated the legendary Anderson Silva. Since then, it’s been nothing but five rounds fights for “The Last Stylebender,” who became one of the faces of the promotion during his time at the top.

Nassourdine Imavov’s rise has been much more gradual, much more muted. He’s gone on three-fight win streaks before, and finds himself riding another one coming into UFC Saudi Arabia. What he’s lacked, however, is a signature win against a high-profile opponent. In years past, Phil Hawes and Sean Strickland turned him back. A win over ex-champ Adesanya? That would get Imavov over the hump, without question.

In the co-main event of UFC Saudi Arabia, it was a pirate versus a snake, as Shara Magomedov faced off against Michael “Venom” Page. MVP was moving up for the fight, which he had called for, against the unbeaten Shara Bullet. Magomedov was coming off a dazzling double-backfist win last time out, and might just land in the main event picture with a win over the former Bellator star.

Following UFC Saudi Arabia, tune in for the card’s post-fight press conference to stay on top of all the latest news. A live stream is available above.

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For “The Last Stylebender,” at one point the biggest star the UFC had to offer, it’s been years since he stepped into the octagon with a belt not on the line. The last time was against Anderson Silva in 2019; after that, there was an interim title fight against Kelvin Gastelum, one of many classic Adesanya performances. From there, the former kickboxing champ never looked back.

In more recent times, Adesanya has hit a rough patch. He lost his middleweight title, then reclaimed it, against Alex Pereira, closing out their rivalry- only to lose it again in a shocking upset against Sean Strickland. When Strickland dropped the belt to Dricus Du Plessis one fight later, the promotion booked Israel against the South African – a fight that saw Adesanya submitted for the first time in his career.

As for Imavov, he sits on a three-fight win streak, and with Du Plessis vs. Strickland 2 set to go down in a week, he could earn himself a shot at gold with a big win (the elephant in the room, of course, being Khamzat Chimaev).

Our picks are in for UFC Saudi Arabia – see how we feel the card will play out below!

Writer / Fight	Ziam vs. Davis	Nurmagomedov vs. Oliveira	Pavlovich vs. Rozenstruik	Bullet vs. MVP	Adesanya vs. Imavov
Jay Anderson (8-2)
Alex Behunin (7-3)
Chris Prawdzik (7-3)
Eddie Law (6-4)
Dylan Napoleone (6-4)
Patrick McCorry (4-6)
Mathis Dejasdins (4-6)
Brett Cagle (4-6)

A couple of landslides, notably in Shara Bullet vs. Michael “Venom” Page, but it’s the main event that stands out. Only one writer responding sees Nassourdine Imavov upsetting former champ Israel Adesanya at UFC Saudi Arabia.

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