While the UFC: Saudi Arabia newspaper heads are dominated by former champion Israel Adesanya, fans should not underestimate this French 'sniper'.
Nassourdine Imavov is 15-4 as a professional and is currently running a fantastic three-fermenter-winning series, including impressive victories over Jared Cannonier and Brendan Allen.
Prior to the greatest fight of his career so far, Bloody Elbow looks back on when Imavov let the 'Golden Boy' of the UFC battered, bloody and an annoying shadow of Carm.
Photo by Jeff Bottari/Zuffa LLC
'Hell-Bows' by Nassourdine Imavov Left 'Golden Boy' battered and bloody
On the way to UFC 268 in November 2021, Nassourdine Imavov was a light underdog for Edmen Shahbazyan, with about 59% of the tapology users who predicted the 'Golden Boy', would reverse the striped Frenchman.
Shahbazyan, a training partner of the legendary Ronda Rousey, was once seen by many as the future 'face' of the UFC Middleweight Division, although a rather different image was painted in New York that night.
After a narrow back and forth stanza, the forward pressure of Imavov would start to pay for dividends if the 'Golden Boy' started to slow down.
While the second round was left, Shahbazyan would try the Frenchman to Guillotine; Only for Imavov to place and land some really vicious lots from the top position.
With Shahbazyan who leaked blood over the UFC, the 'sniper' aimed his sights on finding that finish position – moving to a crucifix while Joe Rogan watched from the ringsside.
“Oh, my god, here is another one and that is a heavy elbow. He goes to a crucifix, man, this is terrible for Shahbazyan … Shahbazyan is just so stuck here; It is such a difficult position to get out when you're tired. “
After landing about 28 unanswered bumps and elbows from the crucifix, the referee had seen enough and a stop to the match or the lack thereof, with Rogan later the enormously impressive performance.
“It was a very, very impressive performance – you really start to appear as one of the more interesting contenders in the division … After this performance I think a top 5 hunter would be fantastic, or someone ranked – congratulations with a very , very, very impressive performance. “
Imavov succeeded with a unanimous decision victory over Joaquin Buckley and then a controversial no match against Chris Curtis, before he went 3-0 in 2024 with impressive victories over Roman Dolidze, Cannonier and Allen.
Imavov can't wait this weekend to 'prove its value' against Israel Adesanya
Those three consecutive victories have resulted in the UFC booking Imavov against former middleweight champion Israel Adesanya in the main event of the Fight Night card this weekend in Saudi Arabia.
In conversation with UFC News, Imavov would take that he cannot wait to 'measure' himself against the former champion and 'prove his value' to Dana White and the UFC buyer.
“I was very happy when they introduced that fight, I knew that fighting Israel Adesanya means that I would fight for the belt afterwards and that is my goal.”
IMAVOV enters UFC Saudi Aarabia as the #6 arranged middleweight candidate, with the title that is disputed the following week in the main event of UFC 312: Du Plessis vs Strickland 2.
“I can't wait, I am a real competitor in life and I can't wait to measure myself against Israel and prove what I am worth,” he stated before he teased that this incoming fight will be determined by who ' Bozer 'from the two.
“He has a good view, he is difficult and very fast, explosive and unpredictable. There is a lot of pressure, but it will be a mortal fight, it will be 'who is anxious' and I think I'm going to win [that battle]. “
UFC Fight Night: Adesanya vs Imavov will go live on Saturday 1 February from Riyadh, Saudi -Arabia.
Related topics
Comments