Sun Sep 07 03:59:24 UTC 2025: **FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE**

**Imavov Dominates Borralho, Calls Out Chimaev for Title Shot in Paris**

**PARIS, FRANCE – September 3, 2024** – Nassourdine Imavov delivered a dominant performance in front of his home crowd at Accor Arena on Saturday night, securing a unanimous decision victory over Caio Borralho at UFC Fight Night. The win marks Imavov’s fifth straight in the UFC and positions him as a strong contender for a shot at the middleweight title, currently held by Khamzat Chimaev.

The judges scored the bout 50-45, 49-46, and 49-46, all in favor of Imavov. The No. 2-ranked middleweight controlled the distance throughout the fight, utilizing clean boxing and relentless pressure to stifle Borralho’s offense. Borralho, who entered the fight with a reputation for finishing opponents, was unable to find openings against Imavov’s defense.

Despite the decisive win, Imavov expressed some disappointment at not securing a finish. However, he wasted no time in issuing a direct challenge to Chimaev during his post-fight interview. “I am next,” Imavov declared to the roaring crowd. “He [Borralho] was unbeaten for 10 years. I just beat him, and beat him with style as well. I need to be the next one [to fight for the UFC middleweight title].”

The loss marks Borralho’s first defeat inside the UFC. The No. 7-ranked fighter acknowledged Imavov’s superior performance, stating, “Nassourdine was the better man today. He was very fast, as I was expecting. He did very good in the fight. I couldn’t really adapt [my strategy] that much.”

In the co-main event, Benoit Saint Denis electrified the Parisian crowd with a second-round rear-naked choke submission victory over Mauricio Ruffy. The win was Saint Denis’s 15th win and snapped Ruffy’s seven-fight winning streak.

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