Nassourdine Imavov recently achieved the biggest win of his UFC career by defeating former title challenger Jared Cannonier by TKO in the fourth round. The fight took place inside the KFC Yum! Center in Louisville, Kentucky. Imavov showcased an impressive performance, finishing Cannonier with punches along the fence at 1:34 of the fourth round. However, despite the victory, there was some controversy surrounding the stoppage. Imavov landed a right hand that hurt Cannonier and trapped him along the fence, leading to veteran referee Jason Herzog stepping in to stop the bout. Although Cannonier was still aware and protested the decision, Imavov believed that the referee made the right call. “I was ready to continue the fight,” Imavov mentioned through an interpreter.
Imavov’s victory over Cannonier marked his second win of the year, following victories over Roman Dolidze and Cannonier. The French fighter demonstrated comfort standing in the pocket with Cannonier and successfully executed two out of three takedown attempts to diversify his offense. While Cannonier landed significant strikes during the bout, Imavov’s offense in the fourth round proved to be the deciding factor in the fight. Despite the controversy surrounding the stoppage, Imavov’s performance in his third UFC main event showcased his growing prowess in the middleweight division.
Following his win over Cannonier, Imavov called out former 185-pound champion Sean Strickland for a future fight. However, Strickland has expressed his intention to wait for a title shot, which may impact Imavov’s next opponent. Cannonier, on the other hand, suffered his first loss since facing then-champion Israel Adesanya in July 2022. Prior to the fight, Cannonier was ranked No. 4 in the UFC’s middleweight division, while Imavov held the No. 7 spot. The victory over Cannonier propelled Imavov further up the rankings and solidified his position as a top contender in the division.
In the co-main event, former light heavyweight title challenger Dominick Reyes ended a four-fight losing streak by defeating Dustin Jacoby. Reyes, who challenged Jon Jones for the 205-pound championship in 2020, secured a victory with a clean left hand and knee up the middle. This win marked Reyes’ first victory since October 2019. Additionally, 19-year-old phenom Raul Rosas Jr. achieved his third win in the UFC with a submission victory over Ricky Turcios. Rosas Jr.’s performance highlighted his potential as a rising star in the promotion, with fans eager to see more of his skills inside the Octagon.
Nassourdine Imavov’s victory over Jared Cannonier showcased his growing talent and potential in the UFC’s middleweight division. Despite the controversy surrounding the fight’s stoppage, Imavov’s performance solidified his status as a top contender. With his eyes set on future challenges, Imavov’s journey in the UFC is one to watch for fight fans around the world.
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