French mixed martial artist (born 1995)
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]
Background
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
Early career
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
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]
Imavov is scheduled to face former two-time UFC Middleweight Champion Israel Adesanya in the main event on February 1, 2025 at UFC Fight Night 250 .[ 32]
Championships and accomplishments
Mixed martial arts
Thunderstrike Fight League
TFL Welterweight Championship (One time; former)
Mixed martial arts record
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)
Thunderstrike Fight League 18
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)
Fight Exclusive Night 19
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
February 4, 2016
1
4:49
Paris , France
Welterweight debut.
[ 33]
See also
References
^ a b c "Нассурдин Имавов" . 24smi.org (in Russian). Retrieved 2023-12-21 .
^ "Stats | UFC" . ufcstats.com . Archived from the original on 2021-11-27. Retrieved 2021-06-29 .
^ 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).
^ "UFC Rankings, Division Rankings, P4P rankings, UFC Champions | UFC.com" . www.ufc.com . Retrieved 2024-10-28 .
^ "Нассурдин Имавов боец ММА" . sport-express.ru (in Russian). Retrieved 2023-12-22 .
^ 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 .
^ "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 .
^ Staff (2019-12-14). "ARES Fighting Championship 1 Results" . Cageside Press . Archived from the original on 2021-07-21. Retrieved 2021-07-21 .
^ 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 .
^ 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 .
^ 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 .
^ 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 .
^ 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 .
^ "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 .
^ 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 .
^ 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 .
^ 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 .
^ 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 .
^ 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 .
^ "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 .
^ 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 .
^ "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 .
^ 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 .
^ Nolan King (2023-09-17). "Khamzat Chimaev returns at UFC 294 to face Paulo Costa" . mmajunkie.usatoday.com. Retrieved 2023-07-19 .
^ Staff (2023-10-07). "UFC 294: Nassourdine Imavov Out, Warlley Alves Faces Ikram Aliskerov" . itnwwe.com. Retrieved 2023-10-07 .
^ Desk, ITN News (2023-11-19). "Dolidze vs Imavov Main Event Set for UFC on February 3" . www.itnwwe.com . Retrieved 2023-11-19 .
^ Dewar, Val (2024-02-04). "UFC Vegas 85: Nassourdine Imavov Wins Decision in Messy Fight With Roman Dolidze" . Cageside Press . Retrieved 2024-02-05 .
^ 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 .
^ Anderson, Jay (2024-06-09). "UFC Louisville: Imavov TKOs Cannonier, Stoppage Questioned" . Cageside Press . Retrieved 2024-06-09 .
^ Mike Heck (2024-07-12). "Brendan Allen vs. Nassourdine Imavov set for UFC Paris" . mmafighting.com. Retrieved 2024-07-12 .
^ Jay Anderson (2024-09-28). "Objective Now is the Belt: Nassourdine Imavov Beats Brendan Allen at UFC Paris" . cagesidepress.com. Retrieved 2024-09-28 .
^ Samuel Chimezie Isaiah (2024-11-21). "Adesanya vs. Imavov Headlines UFC Riyadh Event" . gov.ng. Retrieved 2024-11-27 .
^ Sherdog.com. "Nassourdine Imavov" . Sherdog . Archived from the original on 2021-07-24. Retrieved 2021-06-29 .
External links
Updated to 14 January 2025