# Nassourdine Imavov

Nassourdine Abdoulazimovich Imavov (Russian: Нассурдин Абдулазимович Имавов; born March 1, 1995) is a French professional mixed martial artist who competes in the Middleweight division of the Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC). As of February 11, 2025, he is #1 in the UFC middleweight rankings.

## Background

Imavov was born to an ethnic Kumyk family in Khasavyurt, Dagestan, Russia. At the age of 9, 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.

## Mixed martial arts career
### Early career

Starting his professional career in 2016, Imavov compiled an 8–2 record. He was riding a 5 bout win streak before signing with the UFC, during which time he picked up the Thunderstrike Fight League Welterweight Championship and a first-round beat down of former UFC welterweight Jonathan Meunier at ARES FC 1 on December 14, 2019.

### Ultimate Fighting Championship

Imavov made his UFC debut against Jordan Williams on October 4, 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 February 20, 2021. Despite a late storm by Imavov, he lost the bout via majority decision.
Imavov faced Ian Heinisch on July 24, 2021, at UFC on ESPN: Sandhagen vs. Dillashaw. He won the fight via technical knockout in round two.
Imavov faced Edmen Shahbazyan on November 6, 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 April 9, 2022, at UFC 273. However, Imavov was forced to withdraw due to visa issues and the bout was cancelled.
Imavov faced Joaquin Buckley on September 3, 2022, at UFC Fight Night 209. He won the fight via unanimous decision.
Imavov was scheduled to face Kelvin Gastelum on January 14, 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 June 10, 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 October 21, 2023, at UFC 294. However, Imavov withdrew due to visa issues and was replaced by Warlley Alves.
Imavov faced Roman Dolidze on February 3, 2024, at UFC Fight Night 235 in the main event. Imavov won the bout by majority decision.
Imavov faced Jared Cannonier on June 8, 2024, at UFC on ESPN 57. He won the fight by technical knockout in the fourth round.
Imavov faced Brendan Allen on September 28, 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 February 1, 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.

## Championships and accomplishments
### Mixed martial arts

* Ultimate Fighting Championship
** Performance of the Night (One time) vs. Israel Adesanya
* Thunderstrike Fight League
** TFL Welterweight Championship (One time; former)

## Mixed martial arts record

Professional record breakdown :
| 21 matches | 16 wins | 4 losses |
| By knockout | 7 | 0 |
| By submission | 4 | 1 |
| By decision | 5 | 3 |
| No contests | 1 | 1 |
| Res. | Record | Opponent | Method | Event | Date | Round | Time | Location | Notes |
| Win | 16–4 (1) | Israel Adesanya | TKO (punches) | UFC Fight Night: Adesanya vs. Imavov | February 1, 2025 | 2 | 0:30 | Riyadh, Saudi Arabia | Performance of the Night. |
| Win | 15–4 (1) | Brendan Allen | Decision (unanimous) | UFC Fight Night: Moicano vs. Saint Denis | September 28, 2024 | 3 | 5:00 | Paris, France | |
| Win | 14–4 (1) | Jared Cannonier | TKO (punches) | UFC on ESPN: Cannonier vs. Imavov | June 8, 2024 | 4 | 1:34 | Louisville, Kentucky, United States | |
| Win | 13–4 (1) | Roman Dolidze | Decision (majority) | UFC Fight Night: Dolidze vs. Imavov | February 3, 2024 | 5 | 5:00 | Las Vegas, Nevada, United States | Imavov was deducted one point in round 4 due to an illegal soccer kick. |
| NC | 12–4 (1) | Chris Curtis | NC (accidental clash of heads) | UFC 289 | June 10, 2023 | 2 | 3:04 | Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada | Return to Middleweight. Accidental clash of heads rendered Curtis unable to continue. |
| Loss | 12–4 | Sean Strickland | Decision (unanimous) | UFC Fight Night: Strickland vs. Imavov | January 14, 2023 | 5 | 5:00 | Las Vegas, Nevada, United States | Light Heavyweight debut. |
| Win | 12–3 | Joaquin Buckley | Decision (unanimous) | UFC Fight Night: Gane vs. Tuivasa | September 3, 2022 | 3 | 5:00 | Paris, France | |
| Win | 11–3 | Edmen Shahbazyan | TKO (elbows) | UFC 268 | November 6, 2021 | 2 | 4:42 | New York City, New York, United States | |
| Win | 10–3 | Ian Heinisch | TKO (knee and punches) | UFC on ESPN: Sandhagen vs. Dillashaw | July 24, 2021 | 2 | 3:09 | Las Vegas, Nevada, United States | |
| Loss | 9–3 | Phil Hawes | Decision (majority) | UFC Fight Night: Blaydes vs. Lewis | February 20, 2021 | 3 | 5:00 | Las Vegas, Nevada, United States | |
| Win | 9–2 | Jordan Williams | Decision (unanimous) | UFC on ESPN: Holm vs. Aldana | October 4, 2020 | 3 | 5:00 | Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates | Return to Middleweight. |
| Win | 8–2 | Jonathan Meunier | TKO (punches) | Ares FC 1 | December 14, 2019 | 1 | 4:27 | Dakar, Senegal | Catchweight (176 lb) bout. |
| Win | 7–2 | Mateusz Głuch | Submission (kimura) | Thunderstrike Fight League 18 | September 28, 2019 | 1 | N/A | Kozienice, Poland | Won the TFL Welterweight Championship. |
| Win | 6–2 | Francesco Demontis | Submission (rear-naked choke) | Devil's Cage: La Gabbia del Diavolo | July 26, 2019 | 1 | 2:26 | Quartu Sant'Elena, Italy | Middleweight debut. |
| Win | 5–2 | Gregor Weibel | Decision (unanimous) | City Cage MMA 1 | May 17, 2019 | 3 | 5:00 | Luzern, Switzerland | |
| Win | 4–2 | Gary Formosa | TKO (punches) | Centurion FC 2 | November 4, 2017 | 1 | 2:02 | Paola, Malta | |
| Loss | 3–2 | Michał Michalski | Decision (unanimous) | Fight Exclusive Night 19 | October 14, 2017 | 3 | 5:00 | Wrocław, Poland | Fight of the Night. |
| Win | 3–1 | Paul Lawrence | TKO (punches) | Centurion FC 1 | May 13, 2017 | 1 | 2:43 | Paola, Malta | |
| Win | 2–1 | Yanis Cheufre | Submission (brabo choke) | Fight Night One 4 | April 8, 2016 | 1 | 2:32 | Saint Étienne, France | |
| Win | 1–1 | Said Magomed Tachaev | Submission (rear-naked choke) | Gladiator Fighting Arena 3 | March 5, 2016 | 1 | 3:20 | Nîmes, France | |
| Loss | 0–1 | Ayadi Majdeddine | Submission (guillotine choke) | 100% Fight 27 | February 4, 2016 | 1 | 4:49 | Paris, France | Welterweight debut. |