The UFC is back from its week-long hiatus this Saturday when it heads to Paris for a UFC Fight Night installment headlined by a key middleweight bout between Nassourdine Imavov and Caio Borralho.
The winner more than likely remains in the mix for a title shot, as Khamzat Chimaev (15-0 MMA) ushered in a new era at 185 pounds with a decision win against Dricus Du Plessis (22-3 MMA) at UFC 319 to become the new UFC Middleweight Champion.
Imavov (16-4, 1 NC MMA) is fresh off the biggest win of his career thus far as he knocked out former champion Israel Adesanya (24-5 MMA) in Round 2 at UFC Saudi Arabia in February to extend his unbeaten streak to four since February of last year.
Timothy D. Easley/Special to the Courier-Journal / USA TODAY NETWORK
Imavov told MMAFighting that everything is on the line entering his fight with the Brazilian in Borralho (17-1, 1 NC MMA) as he recognizes he’s on the verge of middleweight greatness.
“I know what I’m worth, and after this fight, I’m going to be the No. 1 contender for the belt, and I know that what I’ve done in the weight class, no one else has done it,” Imavov said. “Like if you talk about those three contenders, they didn’t do what I did.”
While Imavov has paid attention to how the rest of the division has played out, Borralho told CBS Sports that he is uber-confident that he can be the one to put a halt to Chimaev’s title reign.
“I can threaten him with my ground game, especially on the bottom,” Borralho said. “He might take me down in our fight; I accept that. It’s more about how I can frustrate him. I can deny his steps and show my versatility. When it comes to striking, my distance control and feints will make him shoot at the wrong time.”
May 4, 2024; Rio de Janeiro, RJ, BRAZIL; Paul Craig (red gloves) fights Caio Borralho (blue gloves) during UFC 301 at Rio Arena. Mandatory Credit: Jason Silva-Imagn Images / Jason Silva-Imagn Images
Neither man sees the fight needing the judges, as it is scheduled for five rounds. Borralho took his prediction a step further, however.
“Whether it’s a knockout, submission, or decision, it needs to be a good fight,” Borralho said. “If that happens, I’m the next one. If the fight isn’t boring, I’m the next one. … I plan to finish him in the fourth round.”
The fight concludes a card deeply rooted in prospects and contenders, featuring four European champions from other promotions who attempt to make statements come fight night.
Check out the betting odds, per DraftKings Sportsbook as of Friday morning. They are subject to change.
Nassourdine Imavov is warned by the referee during the first round of his middleweight main bout against Jared Cannonier at the UFC Fight Night mixed martial arts event Saturday, June 8 2024 in Louisville Ky.Imavov defeated Cannonier in the third round. / Timothy D. Easley/Special to the Courier-Journal / USA TODAY NETWORK
Main card (Start time 3 p.m. ET, ESPN+)
READ. MORE: Caio Borralho talks Fighting Nerds success and implications of RDR vs Hernandez
Preliminary card (Start time Noon ET, ESPN+)
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