Israel Adesanya Bills Recent Rival Nassourdine Imavov Loses at UFC Paris, to Caio Borralho

During Saturday’s upcoming UFC Fight Night 258 main event, AKA UFC Paris, two top stars battle in what is essentially leading to a title eliminator. Nassourdine Imavov called out Caio Borralho for lying that he was ‘ducking’ him, and called him out for the Paris slot, saying now it was personal.

Not that long ago, the No.1-ranked middleweight Nassourdine Imavov was to be the championship backup before Khamzat Chimaev throttled the champion in a dominant showing for his 185-pound title win. However, ‘The Sniper’ pulled out for this grudge match at UFC Paris.

Team MMA Factory’s Imavov had earned his previous #1 contender status with a fenceside R2 knockout (punches) – 0:30 marks of former champ Israel Adesanya at UFC Fight Night 250 in February. However, Adesanya expects Borralho to hold serve as the ‘better striker’ against Imavov, despite his won KO-stunner at ANB Arena in Riyadh.

I’ll pick Caio for this, for this fight…It’s a well-matched fight, but I think Caio – I’m going to go with Caio this fight, and I’m going to go decision; the hands will be too much for him from Caio, so he’ll have to mix it up to keep Caio guessing…

Israel Adesanya on his Official YT channel (@@FreeStylebender) for a Stake.com sponsored Breakdown video| UFC Paris Fight Night

While coming off a TKO loss to Imavov, Izzy bills the de facto leader of Team Fighting Nerd will have better fighting exchanges. Adesanya does think the Frenchman would initiate counters and pro-grappling exchanges, but he leans toward the fact that Caio Borralho’s explosive striking would be enough.

Borralho (17-1 MMA, 7-0 UFC) is already near that undefeated 8-0 contender stat and has bagged 16 straight fights over a stretch. But ‘Sniper’ is no joke either. Other than his post-fight bonus-winning KO of Adesanya, he’s on a 4-fight winning streak. These include Joaquin Buckley, Edmen Shahbazyan, and Ian Heinisch.

Per BetOnline.Ag opening odds, Borralho bloomed out as an early -135 favorite on the money line. Come this weekend’s annual fight night offering at the Accor Arena, Imavov will be hard-pressed to prove the digits and old-foe Adesanya wrong.

Nassourdine Imavov explains issue with Caio Borralho

Back in April, Caio Borralho was unbooked after his five-round headlining spot against Jared Cannonier since last August. He thus called out Imavov’s work ethic for avoiding a proposed title eliminator during the Summer’s IFW event. Imavov was already the No.1-ranked contender and only wanted a top crack, not intermediate matchups.

Nassourdine Imavov moved from Dagestan and now trains out of France as its fighter; the rival questioned his work ethic and Dagestani roots, who are otherwise known for their honor and rigor and have produced the likes of MMA great Khabib Nurmagomedov.

So, while the pivotal UFC Paris matchup is key to providing a track line to gold and defining Chimaev’s next challenger, it also had personal stakes against Borralho.

Right now, I’m focusing on fight, and I know for sure I will be the No. 1 contender for the belt, and I know we will do a fight for the ages with Khamzat…but right now…[it’s] focus on the fight…and Borralho; He talked a lot, and he went a little outside the sports realm talking about nations, talking about Dagestan, talking about France. He’s a complete liar, first of all…There are a lot of things that make it personal.

Nassourdine Imavov on MMA Junkie Radio with “Gorgeous” George and “Goze”

‘The Last Stylebender’ has publicly leaned for Borralho as a betting favorite; Imavov isn’t bothered and assures his desire for a different outcome in this fight. Matter of fact, he believes that it will be good for his career if he defies expectations in the long run and proves naysayers wrong.

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