Nassourdine Imavov struck a big blow Saturday night in Louisville by defeating Jared Cannonier by TKO in the 4th round during the main event of UFC Fight Night. The French fighter now hopes to take his revenge against Sean Strickland in September in Paris and is one step closer to a fight for the belt.
The biggest victory of his career for sure. Nassourdine Imavov made the perfect shot Saturday in Louisville. Headlining during the main event of UFC Fight Night, he scored a prestigious victory against Jared Cannonier, 4th contender in the -84kg category (Imavov was 7th before this fight). He added style by beating the American by TKO – referee stoppage – in the 4th round. While the latter concedes his first finishing At middleweight, Imavov is preparing to make a sensational entry into the top 5 of his division.
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A flamboyant success even if Imavov did not always dominate the debates in the cage during the first three rounds. In a contested fight, he did not, a priori, even emerge victorious before making the difference in the 4th round. The French fighter took the upper hand during a long mid-distance sequence on beautiful counterattacks with the rear arm which got the better of the American, drowned under the blows, forced to give up his back. TKO Jared Cannonier. The referee then stopped the fight to boos from the American public. “It’s his job and what he did. I think he stopped in time,” Imavov responded hotly.
“I want Strickland at UFC Paris”
In a category dominated by the South African Dricus Du Plessis, the Frenchman can now dream, ultimately, of a fight for the title. “All I want is the belt! Anyone, anywhere, anytime! But I also want Strickland at UFC Paris. Sean I dare you to come to Paris to fight on the 28th September, let’s go!” Nassourdine Imavov has still not digested his defeat against the sultry American fighter in January 2023.
Finally, Imavov also wanted to send a message of humanity by dedicating his victory to “the Palestinian people, the Congolese and all oppressed people.” “I don’t feel like partying, horrible things are happening in the world, every day, children die in total indifference,” concluded the Frenchman before leaving the cage.
