Nassourdine Imavov earns unanimous decision win, calls for Chimaev fight

[Radmak]

Nassourdine Imavov may have just punched his ticket to a title shot. The French middleweight lit up the Paris crowd with a composed, five-round display against fellow contender Caio Borralho, earning a unanimous decision win (50-45, 49-46, 49-46) and making a strong case to challenge champion Khamzat Chimaev next.

Imavov kept the fight standing, stuffing Borralho’s few takedown attempts and outstriking the Brazilian throughout.

Speaking after the fight, Imavov left no doubt about his intentions.

“I am next, Dana,” he declared via a French translator. “Absolutely, no hesitation whatsoever. [Borralho] was unbeaten for 10 years, and I beat him with style. I definitely need to be the next one.”

Though he couldn’t find a finish, Imavov impressed with sharp kickboxing, repeatedly beating Borralho to the punch and shutting down his grappling threats. From the opening round, Borralho struggled to close the distance, while Imavov picked him apart with precise striking to build an early lead he never surrendered.