A four-man middleweight title race kicks off at UFC Fight Night in Paris. Nassourdine Imavov faces Caio Borralho, with the victor potentially securing a shot against champion Khamzat Chimaev.
Imavov, boasting a record of 16-4, gained his title shot aspirations by knocking out former champion Israel Adesanya earlier this year, although he is not guaranteed another opportunity despite his No. 2 ranking. He’s focused on showcasing his skills in this matchup, especially considering it follows the fight between Reinier de Ridder and Anthony Hernandez next month.
In a buildup that’s been colored with tension, Borralho has challenged Imavov’s heritage, adding fuel to the fire leading into their fight. “It’s very personal,” Imavov stated. “If you want to bring that energy, bring it to the fight.”
Borralho, who holds a 17-1 record and is a perfect 6-0 in the Octagon, believes that his previous training with Chimaev offers him the advantage he needs to win. He has declared, “I need to dominate him—it has to be a good fight,” indicating he plans to finish Imavov decisively.
The co-main event features Benoit Saint Denis against Mauricio Ruffy, with both fighters looking to establish their dominance in a highly competitive lightweight division.
The full fight card and odds are presented below:
UFC Fight Night Card
| Favorite | Underdog | Weight Class |
|---|---|---|
| Caio Borralho -135 | Nassourdine Imavov +115 | Middleweight |
| Mauricio Ruffy -180 | Benoit Saint Denis +150 | Lightweight |
| Modestas Bukauskas -350 | Paul Craig +275 | Light Heavyweight |
| Mason Jones -140 | Bolaji Oki +120 | Lightweight |
| Axel Sola -130 | Rhys McKee +110 | Welterweight |
Viewing Information
- Date: Sept. 6
- Start Time: 3 p.m. ET (main card)
- Location: Accor Arena, Paris
- TV Channel: ESPN+
Prediction
This matchup is promising, as both contenders are well-rounded and approaching title contention. On the feet, Imavov typically lands more strikes, while Borralho has better striking efficiency. Their ground games are on par, but Borralho’s jiu-jitsu may give him the edge should he manage to take the fight down. However, given Imavov’s takedown defense, I expect him to win on the scorecards, likely by unanimous decision.
