Nassourdine Imavov and Caio Borralho are officially set to clash in the main event when the UFC returns to Paris on Saturday, Sept. 6, at the Accor Arena. The middleweight showdown was announced early Monday morning by UFC officials, locking in one of the division’s most important matchups of the year.
Imavov had originally been positioned as the backup for UFC 319’s title fight between Dricus du Plessis and Khamzat Chimaev, but the French contender pulled out of that role in favor of staying active. Instead of waiting on the sidelines, he chose to headline on home soil in Paris, a move that keeps his momentum intact.
Imavov is currently on a five-fight unbeaten streak, capped by a brutal knockout of former middleweight champion Israel Adesanya back in February. That performance sent shockwaves through the division and arguably earned him a title shot, if not for Chimaev already locking in the No. 1 contender spot. With this Paris headliner, Imavov now has the opportunity to eliminate any doubt about his place at the top.
“This fight is my focus now,” Imavov said. “I’m not waiting around. I’m headlining in my city and I’m coming to make a statement.”
Borralho, ranked No. 6, has been calling for this fight for months. The Brazilian is undefeated in the UFC, riding a 7-0 record with victories over Jared Cannonier, Paul Craig, and Abus Magomedov. Overall, he holds a 16-fight win streak and has emerged as one of the sharpest and most calculated strikers in the middleweight division.
“I’ve been asking for this,” Borralho said. “Now it’s signed, and I’m going to prove why I belong in the title picture.”
With both men streaking and taking out ranked opposition, Imavov vs. Borralho is more than just a main event, it’s a potential title eliminator. The winner likely positions himself as the next challenger for whoever emerges with the belt after Du Plessis vs. Chimaev.
Imavov brings power, precision, and hometown energy. Borralho brings IQ, technical sharpness, and relentless pressure. Both are operating at the highest level, and now, they finally meet on a night that could shift the middleweight landscape.
The UFC is expected to announce additional bouts for the Paris card in the coming weeks.
