UFC Fight Night Highlights: Imavov's Call for Championship Opportunity Following Dominant Victory
In a thrilling UFC Fight Night event held in Paris, Nassourdine Imavov and Benoit Saint Denis delivered standout performances, with Imavov seeking a title shot after defeating Caio Borralho and Saint Denis submitting Mauricio Ruffy.
Fueled by an electric audience in Paris, Nassourdine Imavov captured a dominant unanimous decision victory against Caio Borralho, ultimately securing his position as a title contender in the UFC middleweight division.
Imavov (17-4) successfully defended against five takedown attempts, showcasing his advanced striking and defense throughout the bout, concluding with scores of 50-45 and 49-46 on the judges’ cards. This victory marked his fifth consecutive win, while also halting Borralho’s unbeaten streak that had spanned 17 fights since 2015.
Dana White, the CEO of UFC, had previously indicated that the winners of Imavov vs. Borralho and another upcoming matchup would vie for the first opportunity against newly crowned middleweight champion, Khamzat Chimaev.
In his post-fight comment, Imavov emphatically declared, “I am the next,” reinforcing his claim for a championship shot, despite enduring an injury during the match that constrained his movement.
Benoit Saint Denis Steals the Show
Benoit Saint Denis (15-3, 1 NC) also impressed the Paris crowd, earning a second-round submission victory over Mauricio Ruffy (12-2) via rear-naked choke. Saint Denis’s relentless wrestling allowed him to dictate the pace, and with four takedowns and effective control, he sealed the win in just under three minutes of the second round.
Reflecting on his performance, Saint Denis thanked the fans for their support and promised to continue pushing forward in his journey within the lightweight title picture.
