Nassourdine Abdoulazimovitch Imavov (Russian: Нассурдин Абдулазимович Имавов; born March 1, 1995) is a French professional mixed martial artist who competes in the Middleweight division of the Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC). As of October 28, 2024, he is #5 in the UFC middleweight rankings.[4]

Nassourdine Imavov
Imavov in 2022
BornNassourdine Abdoulazimovitch Imavov[1]
(1995-03-01) March 1, 1995 (age 29)
Khasavyurt, Dagestan, Russia[1]
NationalityFrench
Height6 ft 3 in (1.91 m)
Weight185.5 lb (84 kg; 13 st 4 lb)
DivisionWelterweight (2016–2019)
Middleweight (2019–present)
Light heavyweight (2023)
Reach75 in (191 cm)[2]
StanceOrthodox
Fighting out ofParis, France
TeamMMA Factory (until 2023)[3]
TrainerFernand Lopez (until 2023)[3]
Nicolas Ott (2023–present)[3]
Years active2016–present
Mixed martial arts record
Total20
Wins15
By knockout6
By submission4
By decision5
Losses4
By submission1
By decision3
No contests1
Other information
Mixed martial arts record from Sherdog

Background

edit

Imavov was born to an ethnic Kumyk family in Khasavyurt, Dagestan, Russia.[1][5] At the age of 9, Imavov moved with his family to Salon-de-Provence, France, where he started boxing. After that, he discovered MMA, and at 19, he moved to Paris with his older brother Daguir, where they joined Fernand Lopez's MMA Factory.[6]

Mixed martial arts career

edit

Early career

edit

Starting his professional career in 2016, Imavov compiled an 8–2 record. He was riding a 5 bout win streak before signing with the UFC, during which time he picked up the Thunderstrike Fight League Welterweight Championship[7] and a first-round beat down of former UFC welterweight Jonathan Meunier at ARES FC 1 on December 14, 2019.[8]

Ultimate Fighting Championship

edit

Imavov made his UFC debut against Jordan Williams on October 4, 2020, at UFC on ESPN: Holm vs. Aldana.[9] He won the bout via unanimous decision.[10]

Imavov faced Phil Hawes at UFC Fight Night: Blaydes vs. Lewis on February 20, 2021. Despite a late storm by Imavov, he lost the bout via majority decision.[11]

Imavov faced Ian Heinisch on July 24, 2021, at UFC on ESPN: Sandhagen vs. Dillashaw.[12] He won the fight via technical knockout in round two.[13]

Imavov faced Edmen Shahbazyan on November 6, 2021, at UFC 268.[14] He won the fight via TKO due to elbows from crucifix position in round two.[15]

Imavov was scheduled to face Kelvin Gastelum on April 9, 2022, at UFC 273.[16] However, Imavov was forced to withdraw due to visa issues and the bout was cancelled.[17]

Imavov faced Joaquin Buckley on September 3, 2022, at UFC Fight Night 209.[18] He won the fight via unanimous decision.[19]

Imavov was scheduled to face Kelvin Gastelum on January 14, 2023, at UFC Fight Night 217. However, Gastelum was forced to withdraw due to a mouth injury, and was replaced by Sean Strickland, with the bout taking place at light heavyweight.[20] He lost the fight via unanimous decision.[21]

Imavov faced Chris Curtis on June 10, 2023, at UFC 289.[22] The bout ended in a no contest in the second round after an accidental clash of heads left Curtis unable to continue due to a severe cut above his eye.[23]

Imavov was scheduled to face Ikram Aliskerov on October 21, 2023, at UFC 294.[24] However, Imavov withdrew due to visa issues and was replaced by Warlley Alves.[25]

Imavov faced Roman Dolidze on February 3, 2024, at UFC Fight Night 235 in the main event.[26] Imavov won the bout by majority decision.[27]

Imavov faced Jared Cannonier on June 8, 2024, at UFC on ESPN 57.[28] He won the fight by technical knockout in the fourth round.[29]

Imavov faced Brendan Allen on September 28, 2024 at UFC Fight Night 243.[30] He won the fight by unanimous decision.[31]

Championships and accomplishments

edit

Mixed martial arts

edit
  • Thunderstrike Fight League
    • TFL Welterweight Championship (One time; former)

Mixed martial arts record

edit
Professional record breakdown
20 matches 15 wins 4 losses
By knockout 6 0
By submission 4 1
By decision 5 3
No contests 1
Res. Record Opponent Method Event Date Round Time Location Notes
Win 15–4 (1) Brendan Allen Decision (unanimous) UFC Fight Night: Moicano vs. Saint Denis September 28, 2024 3 5:00 Paris, France
Win 14–4 (1) Jared Cannonier TKO (punches) UFC on ESPN: Cannonier vs. Imavov June 8, 2024 4 1:34 Louisville, Kentucky, United States
Win 13–4 (1) Roman Dolidze Decision (majority) UFC Fight Night: Dolidze vs. Imavov February 3, 2024 5 5:00 Las Vegas, Nevada, United States Imavov was deducted one point in round 4 due to an illegal soccer kick.
NC 12–4 (1) Chris Curtis NC (accidental clash of heads) UFC 289 June 10, 2023 2 3:04 Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada Return to Middleweight. Accidental clash of heads rendered Curtis unable to continue.
Loss 12–4 Sean Strickland Decision (unanimous) UFC Fight Night: Strickland vs. Imavov January 14, 2023 5 5:00 Las Vegas, Nevada, United States Light Heavyweight debut.
Win 12–3 Joaquin Buckley Decision (unanimous) UFC Fight Night: Gane vs. Tuivasa September 3, 2022 3 5:00 Paris, France
Win 11–3 Edmen Shahbazyan TKO (elbows) UFC 268 November 6, 2021 2 4:42 New York City, New York, United States
Win 10–3 Ian Heinisch TKO (knee and punches) UFC on ESPN: Sandhagen vs. Dillashaw July 24, 2021 2 3:09 Las Vegas, Nevada, United States
Loss 9–3 Phil Hawes Decision (majority) UFC Fight Night: Blaydes vs. Lewis February 20, 2021 3 5:00 Las Vegas, Nevada, United States
Win 9–2 Jordan Williams Decision (unanimous) UFC on ESPN: Holm vs. Aldana October 4, 2020 3 5:00 Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates Return to Middleweight.
Win 8–2 Jonathan Meunier TKO (punches) Ares FC 1 December 14, 2019 1 4:27 Dakar, Senegal Catchweight (176 lb) bout.
Win 7–2 Mateusz Głuch Submission (kimura) TFL 18: Road to Championship September 28, 2019 1 N/A Kozienice, Poland Won the TFL Welterweight Championship.
Win 6–2 Francesco Demontis Submission (rear-naked choke) Devil's Cage: La Gabbia del Diavolo July 26, 2019 1 2:26 Quartu Sant'Elena, Italy Middleweight debut.
Win 5–2 Gregor Weibel Decision (unanimous) City Cage MMA 1 May 17, 2019 3 5:00 Luzern, Switzerland
Win 4–2 Gary Formosa TKO (punches) Centurion FC 2 November 4, 2017 1 2:02 Paola, Malta
Loss 3–2 Michał Michalski Decision (unanimous) FEN 19: Battle for Wrocław October 14, 2017 3 5:00 Wrocław, Poland Fight of the Night.
Win 3–1 Paul Lawrence TKO (punches) Centurion FC 1 May 13, 2017 1 2:43 Paola, Malta
Win 2–1 Yanis Cheufre Submission (brabo choke) Fight Night One 4 April 8, 2016 1 2:32 Saint Étienne, France
Win 1–1 Said Magomed Tachaev Submission (rear-naked choke) Gladiator Fighting Arena 3 March 5, 2016 1 3:20 Nîmes, France
Loss 0–1 Ayadi Majdeddine Submission (guillotine choke) 100% Fight 27: Last Man Standing February 4, 2016 1 4:49 Paris, France Welterweight debut.

[32]

See also

edit

References

edit
  1. ^ a b c "Нассурдин Имавов". 24smi.org (in Russian). Retrieved 2023-12-21.
  2. ^ "Stats | UFC". ufcstats.com. Archived from the original on 2021-11-27. Retrieved 2021-06-29.
  3. ^ a b c Benoit Desaint (January 24, 2024). "Nassourdine Imavov révèle enfin pourquoi il a quitté Fernand Lopez et le MMA Factory". gentside.com (in French).
  4. ^ "UFC Rankings, Division Rankings, P4P rankings, UFC Champions | UFC.com". www.ufc.com. Retrieved 2024-10-28.
  5. ^ "Нассурдин Имавов боец ММА". sport-express.ru (in Russian). Retrieved 2023-12-22.
  6. ^ Admin (2021-02-20). "MMA : la nouvelle perle française s'appelle Nassourdine Imavov". Le Parisien (in French). Archived from the original on 2021-02-20. Retrieved 2021-07-22.
  7. ^ "UFC Fight Island 4: Who is middleweight Nassourdine Imavov?". FanSided. 2020-10-02. Archived from the original on 2021-07-22. Retrieved 2021-07-22.
  8. ^ Staff (2019-12-14). "ARES Fighting Championship 1 Results". Cageside Press. Archived from the original on 2021-07-21. Retrieved 2021-07-21.
  9. ^ Heck, Mike (2020-09-18). "Jordan Williams vs. Nassourdine Imavov added to UFC's Fight Island event on Oct. 3". MMA Fighting. Retrieved 2023-05-24.
  10. ^ Evanoff, Josh (2020-10-03). "UFC Fight Island 4 Results: Nassourdine Imavov Wins in Wild, Foul-Filled Fight". Cageside Press. Archived from the original on 2021-04-15. Retrieved 2021-07-21.
  11. ^ McClory, Mike (2021-02-20). "UFC Vegas 19 Results: Phil Hawes Survives Late Storm by Nassourdine Imavov". Cageside Press. Archived from the original on 2021-05-05. Retrieved 2021-05-05.
  12. ^ DNA, MMA (2021-05-08). "Middleweight gevecht tussen Ian Heinisch en Nassourdine Imavov op 24 juli". MMA DNA. Archived from the original on 2021-06-20. Retrieved 2021-05-09.
  13. ^ Doherty, Dan (2021-07-24). "UFC Vegas 32 Results: Nassourdine Imavov Overwhelms, Finishes Ian Heinisch". Cageside Press. Archived from the original on 2021-07-24. Retrieved 2021-07-24.
  14. ^ "Nassourdine Imavov vs. Edmen Shahbazyan pour l'UFC 268 !". La Sueur (in French). 2021-08-08. Archived from the original on 2021-08-09. Retrieved 2021-08-09.
  15. ^ Evanoff, Josh (2021-11-06). "UFC 268 Results: Nassourdine Imavov Demolishes Edmen Shahbazyan". Cageside Press. Archived from the original on 2021-11-07. Retrieved 2021-11-07.
  16. ^ ATSteveDuncan (2022-01-13). "Kelvin Gastelum vs. Nassourdine Imavov agregado a UFC 273". MMA.uno, #1 En noticias de Artes Marciales Mixtas (MMA) en Español. (in Spanish). Archived from the original on 2022-01-13. Retrieved 2022-01-13.
  17. ^ Staff (2022-03-28). "UFC 273 news: Nassourdine Imavov vs. Kelvin Gastelum off, Ilir Latifi vs. Aleksei Oleinik added". mmajunkie.usatoday.com. Archived from the original on 2022-03-28. Retrieved 2022-03-28.
  18. ^ Hannoun, Farah (2022-07-06). "Joaquin Buckley vs. Nassourdine Imavov joins UFC Paris lineup on Sept. 3". MMA Junkie. Archived from the original on 2022-07-07. Retrieved 2022-07-08.
  19. ^ Dewar, Val (2022-09-03). "UFC Paris: Nassourdine Imavov And Joaquin Buckley Put On War, Imavov Edges Out Decision". Cageside Press. Archived from the original on 2022-09-03. Retrieved 2022-09-03.
  20. ^ "Kelvin Gastelum injured; Sean Strickland steps into UFC Fight Night 217 main event vs. Nassourdine Imavov". MMA Junkie. 2023-01-09. Archived from the original on 2023-01-09. Retrieved 2023-01-10.
  21. ^ Val Dewar (2023-01-14). "UFC Vegas 67: Sean Strickland Starts 2023 with Decision Win Over Nassourdine Imavov". Cageside Press. Archived from the original on 2023-01-15. Retrieved 2023-01-14.
  22. ^ "UFC finalizing Chris Curtis vs. Nassourdine Imavov at UFC 289". MMA Junkie. 2023-04-19. Archived from the original on 2023-04-20. Retrieved 2023-04-20.
  23. ^ Lee, Alexander K. (2023-06-10). "UFC 289 video: Chris Curtis vs. Nassourdine Imavov ends in no-contest after accidental headbutt". MMA Fighting. Retrieved 2023-06-11.
  24. ^ Nolan King (2023-09-17). "Khamzat Chimaev returns at UFC 294 to face Paulo Costa". mmajunkie.usatoday.com. Retrieved 2023-07-19.
  25. ^ Staff (2023-10-07). "UFC 294: Nassourdine Imavov Out, Warlley Alves Faces Ikram Aliskerov". itnwwe.com. Retrieved 2023-10-07.
  26. ^ Desk, ITN News (2023-11-19). "Dolidze vs Imavov Main Event Set for UFC on February 3". www.itnwwe.com. Retrieved 2023-11-19. {{cite web}}: |last= has generic name (help)
  27. ^ Dewar, Val (2024-02-04). "UFC Vegas 85: Nassourdine Imavov Wins Decision in Messy Fight With Roman Dolidze". Cageside Press. Retrieved 2024-02-05.
  28. ^ Jesse Holland and Alex Behunin (2024-04-25). "Jared Cannonier vs Nassourdine Imamov headlines UFC Louisville on June 8". mmamania.com. Retrieved 2024-04-25.
  29. ^ Anderson, Jay (2024-06-09). "UFC Louisville: Imavov TKOs Cannonier, Stoppage Questioned". Cageside Press. Retrieved 2024-06-09.
  30. ^ Mike Heck (2024-07-12). "Brendan Allen vs. Nassourdine Imavov set for UFC Paris". mmafighting.com. Retrieved 2024-07-12.
  31. ^ Jay Anderson (2024-09-28). "Objective Now is the Belt: Nassourdine Imavov Beats Brendan Allen at UFC Paris". cagesidepress.com. Retrieved 2024-09-28.
  32. ^ Sherdog.com. "Nassourdine Imavov". Sherdog. Archived from the original on 2021-07-24. Retrieved 2021-06-29.
edit