The UFC 319 backup opponent has received criticism from his next opponent.
Caio Borralho has been brought in as the backup opponent in case Dricus Du Plessis or Khamzat Chimaev have to pull out of their UFC middleweight title fight.
He is in training for his next bout, but is keeping a close eye on any changes to the main event, which he predicts will go in Chimaev’s favour in a 60/40 fight.
Photo by Alexandre Loureiro/Zuffa LLC via Getty Images
But his UFC Paris adversary has taken aim at Borralho for accepting the spot that he had declined.
‘My leftovers’ – the UFC backup opponent for Dricus Du Plessis vs Khamzat Chimaev, slammed for taking the position
French middleweight Nassourdine Imavov was offered the opportunity to take over from either main event fighter if something were to happen, but refused.
Speaking to MMA Junkie with the help of a translator, Imavov explained why he was against being the reserve competitor.
“I was like, ‘Ok, if the title fight is in August and I have to be the backup, then I don’t want to train for nothing. I don’t want to train for nothing,’” he said.
“I want to be in the best condition for my fight. That’s why I said, ‘No, I won’t come. Maybe they’ll put Caio at this place.’ But right now, I’m only focusing on Caio in Paris. Bring him.”
Nassourdine then slammed his Brazilian foe for saying he was ‘honoured’ to have the opportunity.
The 30-year-old continued: “He agreed to that because he was honoured to be the backup, but he’s just taking my leftovers because I declined.”
Nassourdine Imavov sends a strong message to ‘boring fighter’ Caio Borralho
‘The Sniper’ is coming into the main event with a four-fight win streak, with a marquee stoppage victory over former middleweight champion Israel Adesanya.
He is riding high on confidence and wants to put in an incredible performance against ‘The Natural’.
In the interview, Imavov continued: “For me, I’ll make this fight in spectacular fashion. It’s important for me to show people that I can make a boring fighter, a great fight.”
A win in the fight would take him one step closer to the UFC 319 middleweight title winner, but he could have to take a bout against Reinier de Ridder after his Robert Whittaker victory.