The stake was enormous, the moment could change his destiny. By entering the UFC cage placed in the center of Accor Arena (12th), Nassourdine Imavov knew that a convincing victory would open the doors of a fight for the title against the champion Khamzat Chimaev. For that, the dangerous Caio Borralho had to be defeated. A mission accomplished with disconcerting serenity.
However, the Brazilian had not lost for ten years. It was during his 2nd fight, he was just a young man of 22 years in full progress. Sixteen victories and seven fights at the UFC later, it was as a candidate for the title that he presented himself in Paris. But Nassourdine Imavov is a raw, unbreakable and cut diamond to get the Grail at the UFC: the medium weight belt.
“In the state I fought in, I am happy with my performance,” he explained after its success. I have a tendon or something below the foot that dropped, it hurts a lot. I would have liked to win before the limit but it does not matter. »»
From the 1st round, the French of Daghestanese origin imposed its rhythm, firing the Brazilian against the cage. Caio Borralho has tried to react by bringing it to the ground but its strategy has not proven to be paid. The “sniper” continued his work of destruction, looking for the opening with his speed and his fists. Also taking advantage of an audience on fire, very noisy since the start of the evening and even more since the victory of Benoît Saint Denis a few minutes before.
Next step: the title
Imperial in the standing and perfect combat phases in its defense of the grounds, Nassourdine Imavov continued to dominate the debates without trembling. His English boxing sequences have also hurt Brazilian, who has continued to retreat. Vaillant, Borralho still remained standing until the end of the five rounds, finally bowing to the unanimous decision of the judges (50-45, 49-46, 49-46).
The rest now seems clear to French. While Dana White had announced that one of the winners of Imavov-Borralho and Ridder-Hernandez battles (scheduled for October 18) would be Khamzat Chimaev’s next opponent for the title, the average weight is the designated candidate. After defeating a legend, Israel Adesanya, and having taken 1st place in the ranking, it can no longer escape him.
“I am the next one. I’m the next one to fight for the belt, without any hesitation, he insisted in the cage. This guy (Borralho), he had not lost for 10 years and I beat him and with the way. »»
