Nassourdine Abdoulazimovitch 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 6, 2024, he is #8 in the UFC middleweight rankings.[4]
| Nassourdine Imavov | |
|---|---|
 Imavov in 2022 | |
| Born | Nassourdine Abdoulazimovitch Imavov[1] March 1, 1995 Khasavyurt, Dagestan, Russia[1] |
| Other names | The Sniper |
| Nationality | French |
| Height | 6 ft 3 in (1.91 m) |
| Weight | 185.5 lb (84 kg; 13 st 4 lb) |
| Division | Welterweight (2016–2019) Middleweight (2019–present) Light heavyweight (2023) |
| Reach | 75 in (191 cm)[2] |
| Stance | Orthodox |
| Fighting out of | Paris, France |
| Team | MMA Factory (until 2023)[3] |
| Trainer | Fernand Lopez (until 2023)[3] Nicolas Ott (2023–present)[3] |
| Years active | 2016–present |
| Mixed martial arts record | |
| Total | 18 |
| Wins | 13 |
| By knockout | 5 |
| By submission | 4 |
| By decision | 4 |
| Losses | 4 |
| By submission | 1 |
| By decision | 3 |
| No contests | 1 |
| Other information | |
| Mixed martial arts record from Sherdog | |
Background
Imavov was born to an ethnic Kumyk family in Khasavyurt, Dagestan, Russia.[1][5] 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.[6]
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[7] and a first-round beat down of former UFC welterweight Jonathan Meunier at ARES FC 1 on December 14, 2019.[8]
Ultimate Fighting Championship
Imavov made his UFC debut against Jordan Williams on October 4, 2020, at UFC on ESPN: Holm vs. Aldana.[9] He won the bout via unanimous decision.[10]
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.[11]
Imavov faced Ian Heinisch on July 24, 2021, at UFC on ESPN: Sandhagen vs. Dillashaw.[12] He won the fight via technical knockout in round two.[13]
Imavov faced Edmen Shahbazyan on November 6, 2021, at UFC 268.[14] He won the fight via TKO due to elbows from crucifix position in round two.[15]
Imavov was scheduled to face Kelvin Gastelum on April 9, 2022, at UFC 273.[16] However, Imavov was forced to withdraw due to visa issues and the bout was cancelled.[17]
Imavov faced Joaquin Buckley on September 3, 2022, at UFC Fight Night 209.[18] He won the fight via unanimous decision.[19]
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.[20] He lost the fight via unanimous decision.[21]
Imavov faced Chris Curtis on June 10, 2023, at UFC 289.[22] 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.[23]
Imavov was scheduled to face Ikram Aliskerov on October 21, 2023, at UFC 294.[24] However, Imavov withdrew due to visa issues and was replaced by Warlley Alves.[25]
Imavov faced Roman Dolidze on February 3, 2024, at UFC Fight Night 235 in the main event.[26] Imavov won the bout by majority decision.[27]
Imavov is scheduled to face Jared Cannonier on June 8, 2024, at UFC on ESPN 57.[28]
Championships and accomplishments
Mixed martial arts
- Thunderstrike Fight League
- TFL Welterweight Championship (One time; former)
Mixed martial arts record
| 18 matches | 13 wins | 4 losses |
| By knockout | 5 | 0 |
| By submission | 4 | 1 |
| By decision | 4 | 3 |
| No contests | 1 | |
| Res. | Record | Opponent | Method | Event | Date | Round | Time | Location | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 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) | TFL 18: Road to Championship | 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) | FEN 19: Battle for Wrocław | 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: Last Man Standing | February 4, 2016 | 1 | 4:49 | Paris, France | Welterweight debut. |