In front of an electric Paris crowd, Nassourdine Imavov put on a clinical performance against Caio Borralho. Across five rounds, he showcased sharp striking, and rock-solid defense, Nassourdine Imavov outpoints Caio Borralho in UFC Paris main event, targets top contender fight.
September 6, 2025 will be remembered as the night Paris became the center of chaos inside the Octagon. The Accor Arena played host to UFC Fight Night, where Nassourdine Imavov and Caio Borralho went head-to-head in a high-stakes main event.
Nassourdine Imavov walked into this fight with confidence and to give fans an experience they won’t forget in hurry. Back in January 2023, Imavov took a bold leap into the light heavyweight division to face Sean Strickland. Despite his courage, he fell short, losing via unanimous decision. He came back stronger in February 2024, headlining UFC Fight Night against Roman Dolidze and grinding out a majority decision win. In June 2024, he delivered a technical knockout over Jared Cannonier in the fourth round at UFC Louisville. Then in February, 2025, in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. Imavov stunned the world by knocking out former champion Israel Adesanya in the second round just 30 seconds in. It wasn’t just a KO; it was a masterpiece that sent shockwaves through the MMA world.
Across the cage stood Caio Borralho. Calm, calculated, and technical, Borralho has built his career for years. On May 4, 2024, Caio Borralho delivered the most spectacular win of his career knocking out Paul Craig in the second round at UFC 301 in Rio de Janeiro. Later in August 2024, Borralho went the distance against former title challenger Jared Cannonier. He emerged victorious via unanimous decision in a back-and-forth fight, earning Fight of the Night bonus. His ability to control the fight, smother opponents on the mat, and strike when it matters most made him one of the most dangerous rising stars in the middleweight division. For Borralho, this wasn’t just another fight. It was the moment to break into the elite circle and show the world that the hype was real.
The fight started with both fighters taking their time to set the tone, with Imavov looking sharp and composed. He used his jab and clean footwork to set the tone, landing crisp punches early. Borralho tried to pressure and look for openings, even attempting to tie things up, but Imavov’s takedown defense was solid. The Frenchman mixed in quick combinations and stayed a step ahead in every exchange. Borralho had some control against the cage late, but it was nothing damaging.
Round two started with Imavov looking comfortable and confidence. His jab and straight punches kept Borralho from getting inside. Borralho pushed forward a little more and tried to make it messy, but Imavov stayed composed and kept picking him apart with his striking and and dominant performance
Round three began with Borralho showing some urgency. He applied more pressure and landed a few good shots, making this his best round of the fight. Even with this attempt, he struggled to keep Imavov pinned down, as Imavov moved well and fired back with counters. It was closer than the first two rounds they had.
In round four Imavov regained full control. He went back to his sharp boxing and dominant performance, landing the cleaner, harder shots. Borralho tried to close in but was repeatedly beaten to the punch. Imavov looked fresh and in command heading into the final round.
The fifth and final round of the main event started and Caio Borralho charged forward with urgency, knowing he needs a finish after his corner told him he needed to win the round. Despite the pressure, Nassourdine Imavov stayed calm and continued landing clean shots from range. A brief pause comes after an eye poke from the Frenchman, and moments later, another one forces the referee to issue a stern warning. When the action resumes, Imavov fired a lightning-fast right hand and continued to control the exchanges. ‘The Sniper’ closes out the fight strong.
“I am next, Dana.” Imavov said with assistance from a French translator. “Absolutely, no hesitation whatsoever. It’s been 10 years that [Borralho] was unbeaten and I’ve beaten him and I beat him with style as well. Definitely, I need to be the next one.”
With this dominant win, Nassourdine Imavov proved he’s a serious contender in the middleweight division. His composure, striking precision, and control over Caio Borralho in front of the Paris crowd sent a clear message that he’s ready for a top-ranked opponent and possibly a title shot next.
