Nassourdine Imavov

Background Imavov was born to an ethnic Kumyk family in Khasavyurt, Dagestan, Russia. At the age of nine, 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.

At the end of 2023, Imavov left MMA factory. and a first-round beat down of former UFC welterweight Jonathan Meunier at ARES FC 1 on 14 December 2019.

Ultimate Fighting Championship Imavov made his UFC debut against Jordan Williams on 4 October 2020, at UFC on ESPN: Holm vs. Aldana. He won the bout via unanimous decision.

Imavov faced Phil Hawes at UFC Fight Night: Blaydes vs. Lewis on 20 February 2021. Despite a late storm by Imavov, he lost the bout via majority decision.

Imavov faced Ian Heinisch on 24 July 2021, at UFC on ESPN: Sandhagen vs. Dillashaw. He won the fight via technical knockout in round two.

Imavov faced Edmen Shahbazyan on 6 November 2021, at UFC 268. He won the fight via TKO due to elbows from crucifix position in round two.

Imavov was scheduled to face Kelvin Gastelum on 9 April 2022, at UFC 273. However, Imavov was forced to withdraw due to visa issues and the bout was cancelled.

Imavov faced Joaquin Buckley on 3 September 2022, at UFC Fight Night 209. He won the fight via unanimous decision.

Imavov was scheduled to face Kelvin Gastelum on 14 January 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. He lost the fight via unanimous decision.

Imavov faced Chris Curtis on 10 June 2023, at UFC 289. 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.

Imavov was scheduled to face Ikram Aliskerov on 21 October 2023, at UFC 294. However, Imavov withdrew due to visa issues and was replaced by Warlley Alves.

Imavov faced Roman Dolidze on 3 February 2024, at UFC Fight Night 235 in the main event. Imavov won the bout by majority decision.

Imavov faced Jared Cannonier on 8 June 2024, at UFC on ESPN 57. He won the fight by technical knockout in the fourth round.

Imavov faced Brendan Allen on 28 September 2024 at UFC Fight Night 243. He won the fight by unanimous decision.

Imavov faced former two-time UFC Middleweight Champion Israel Adesanya in the main event on 1 February 2025 at UFC Fight Night 250. He won the fight by technical knockout in the second round. This fight earned him his first Performance of the Night award.

Imavov faced Caio Borralho in the main event on 6 September 2025 at UFC Fight Night 258. He won the fight by unanimous decision.

Fighting style Imavov is a 6-foot-3 striker known for his boxing skills. He has a versatile style mixing strong striking with grappling. He is a tall, athletic striker who excels at a steady pace from a distance. However, he can also be a strong offensive wrestler with top control and the ability to dominate opponents against the cage. He utilizes a side-on, bouncy stance. Rather than managing distance with kicks, Imavov uses his footwork to spring forward with fast punches, especially his jab. He keeps his lead hand extended to make his jab a quicker, more dangerous strike. He also uses feints and speed to set up hard combinations like the one-two or hook-cross. He is comfortable closing distance behind his right hand and is dangerous in the clinch, where he can land hard knees. He also excels at securing head position to defend against wrestling before breaking away with an elbow.

Championships and accomplishments Mixed martial arts Ultimate Fighting Championship Performance of the Night (One time)

Fight Exclusive Night Fight of the Night (One time)

Thunderstrike Fight League TFL Welterweight Championship (One time; former)

Mixed martial arts record Win

Caio Borralho Decision (unanimous) UFC Fight Night: Imavov vs. Borralho

Paris, France Win

Israel Adesanya TKO (punches) UFC Fight Night: Adesanya vs. Imavov

Riyadh, Saudi Arabia Win

Brendan Allen Decision (unanimous) UFC Fight Night: Moicano vs. Saint Denis

Paris, France Win

Jared Cannonier TKO (punches) UFC on ESPN: Cannonier vs. Imavov

Louisville, Kentucky, United States Win

Roman Dolidze Decision (majority) UFC Fight Night: Dolidze vs. Imavov

Las Vegas, Nevada, United States NC

Chris Curtis NC (accidental clash of heads) UFC 289

Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada Loss

Sean Strickland Decision (unanimous) UFC Fight Night: Strickland vs. Imavov

Las Vegas, Nevada, United States Win

Joaquin Buckley Decision (unanimous) UFC Fight Night: Gane vs. Tuivasa

Paris, France Win

Edmen Shahbazyan TKO (elbows) UFC 268

New York City, New York, United States Win

Ian Heinisch TKO (knee and punches) UFC on ESPN: Sandhagen vs. Dillashaw

Las Vegas, Nevada, United States Loss

Phil Hawes Decision (majority) UFC Fight Night: Blaydes vs. Lewis

Las Vegas, Nevada, United States Win

Jordan Williams Decision (unanimous) UFC on ESPN: Holm vs. Aldana

Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates Win

Jonathan Meunier TKO (punches) Ares 1

Dakar, Senegal Win

Mateusz Głuch Submission (kimura) Thunderstrike Fight League 18

Kozienice, Poland Win

Francesco Demontis Submission (rear-naked choke) La Gabbia del Diavolo

Quartu Sant'Elena, Italy Win

Gregor Weibel Decision (unanimous) City Cage MMA 1

Luzern, Switzerland Win

Gary Formosa TKO (punches) Centurion Fight Championship 2

Paola, Malta Loss

Michał Michalski Decision (unanimous) Fight Exclusive Night 19

Wrocław, Poland Win

Paul Lawrence TKO (punches) Centurion Fight Championship 1

Paola, Malta Win

Yanis Cheufre Submission (brabo choke) Fight Night One 4

Saint Étienne, France Win

Said Magomed Tachaev Submission (rear-naked choke) Gladiator Fighting Arena 3

Nîmes, France Loss

Ayadi Majdeddine Submission (guillotine choke) 100% Fight 27

Paris, France Kickboxing record