UFC Fight Night: Imavov vs Borralho - What's Next For The Winners And Losers?

Sep 6, 2025; Paris, FRANCE; Benoit Saint Denis (red gloves) reacts after the fight against Mauricio Ruffy (blue gloves) during UFC Fight Night at Accor Arena. Mandatory Credit: Per Haljestam-Imagn Images

The UFC returned to Paris this weekend, delivering another memorable night at the Accor Arena. French fans have become accustomed to spectacular September shows in their capital, and this year’s UFC Fight Night: Imavov vs Borralho certainly didn’t disappoint. The card featured a mix of local favorites, rising contenders, and seasoned veterans all looking to make their mark in front of a passionate Parisian crowd.

What made this event particularly special was how it showcased the global nature of modern MMA. From Russian-born Nassourdine Imavov representing his adopted home of Paris in the main event to Croatian heavyweight Ante Delija making his long awaited UFC debut at age 35, the card told stories of perseverance, ambition, and the universal language of combat sports. The preliminary card set an explosive tone with every single fight ending inside the distance, creating an electric atmosphere that carried through to the main card. Now that the dust has settled and the results are in, it’s time to examine what comes next for both the victors and the defeated from this action packed evening!

UFC Fight Night: Imavov vs Borralho Main Card Results and Future Implications

Nassourdine Imavov defeated Caio Borralho by unanimous decision (50-45, 49-46, 49-46) in the main event. His dominant performance over the previously unbeaten Borralho has positioned him perfectly for a title shot. Fighting in front of his home crowd, Imavov showcased the improvements he’s made since connecting with coach Nicholas Ott. His striking was crisp, his range control was excellent, and he successfully neutralized Borralho’s wrestling threat. With new champion Khamzat Chimaev holding the belt, Imavov has made the strongest case to be his first challenger.

For Borralho, this loss stings but doesn’t derail his career. At just 31 years old, he remains one of the division’s most promising prospects. His 14 fight winning streak before this setback proves his quality. The Brazilian needs to go back to the drawing board and address his striking defense. A fight against someone like Robert Whittaker or Marvin Vettori would help him rebuild momentum while staying in contender conversation.

Benoit Saint Denis defeated Mauricio Ruffy by submission (RNC) at 2:56 of Round 2. His pressure fighting and submission skills were on full display as he overwhelmed Ruffy completely. This victory keeps him firmly in the top 10 and positions him well for a big name opponent next. A fight against someone like Mateusz Gamrot or Beneil Dariush would make sense as his next step toward title contention.

Ruffy’s fight didn’t go as planned, but the Brazilian showed heart in defeat. His striking looked sharp early, but his ground game needs serious work before he can compete with elite lightweights. Expect him to face a lower ranked fighter in his next outing while he develops his grappling skills.

Modestas Bukauskas defeated Paul Craig by KO (elbow) at 5:00 of Round 1. He delivered a spectacular knockout that will be replayed for years to come. The Lithuanian’s fourth straight UFC victory has him knocking on the door of the top 15. His training partnership with heavyweight champion Tom Aspinall is clearly paying dividends. A fight against someone like Nikita Krylov or Ryan Spann would test his readiness for the elite level.

Paul Craig took this loss and decided to retire from the sport. His announcement was both emotional and fitting. The Scottish veteran leaves behind a legacy of exciting fights and memorable submissions. His wins over current champion like Magomed Ankalaev will be remembered fondly by fans who appreciated his never give up attitude.

Mason Jones defeated Bolaji Oki by TKO (elbows) at 3:18 of Round 2. He showed tremendous heart coming back from early trouble to dominate the fight. The Welsh fighter’s ground and pound was vicious, reminiscent of his Cage Warriors days. With back to back UFC wins, he’s ready for a step up in competition. A fight against someone like King Green or Jim Miller would test his progress nicely.

Axel Sola defeated Rhys McKee by TKO (body shot) at 2:02 of Round 3. His short notice debut couldn’t have gone better. The unbeaten French prospect showed composure under pressure and finished with a beautiful body shot. His karate background brings a unique style to the lightweight division. Expect him to get a proper camp for his next fight against another higher ranked, yet unranked fighter.

William Gomis defeated Robert Ruchala by unanimous decision. He got back on track with a hard fought decision win. The French featherweight’s speed and body work were key to victory. He needs to work on his finishing ability but remains a solid prospect in a loaded division.

UFC Fight Night: Imavov vs Borralho Preliminary Card Results

The prelims delivered non stop action with every fight ending inside the distance. Oumar Sy thrilled his home crowd with a first round TKO over Brendson Ribeiro, bouncing back perfectly from his first career loss. Ante Delija made the most of his UFC debut, knocking out veteran Marcin Tybura in spectacular fashion. At 35, the Croatian heavyweight proved it’s never too late to make your mark. Kaue Fernandes delivered a leg kick masterclass against Harry Hardwick, while Sam Patterson continued his welterweight tear with another first round finish.

Robert Bryczek finally got his first UFC win after 18 months away. He stopped Brad Tavares in round three. Rinat Fakhretdinov made a quick finish of Andreas Gustafsson in the first round. Meanwhile, Sam Hughes opened the show with a slick submission of Shauna Bannon, in the second round.

(Image Credit: Per Haljestam – Imagn Images)

Zaid Quraishi

mma
mma

I am a dedicated MMA and Boxing content writer at The Playoffs. I was instantly hooked on MMA after watching the fight between Lyoto Machida vs. Gegard Mousasi back in 2014, and since then, i have been an avid writer with a deep love for the sport and its techniques, providing readers with a thorough understanding of the sport. My favorite aspect of working at The Playoffs is the creative freedom it provides. The diverse range of topics, from listicles and SEO to news articles, keeps me engaged and motivates me to continuously improve my skills! I aim to capture the excitement of the combat sports world in my writing, acting as the middleman between fighters and their die-hard fans. It is kind of like a referee, but with words!