Top ten middle weights Nassourdine Imavov and Caio Borralho closed UFC Paris in the Accor Arena on Saturday, in a fight that already wore certain title implications.
For some, Imavov had done enough to justify a title shot. Borralho, somewhat ranked on the French 185’er, wanted to jump in his place, all with Reinier de Ridder vs. Anthony Hernandez who won. Almost certain, the winner of Imavov vs. Borralho or the Ridder vs. Hernandez would be the next one in line.
Borralho opened with a high staircase when the action started and worked from outside. Imavov made methodically forward, blocked a new high staircase and shot his right hand. Imavov shot a staircase on the thigh, but neither fighter committed something big during the first 90 seconds. Imavov of course had to be wary of the Takedown.
When Borralho changed level, Imavov caught him in a headlock; They would eventually divorce and go back to something of a chess match.
Not a ton as important attacks by one of the two man in the first round. Round two saw Borralho continue his shovel attacks before the distance was closed with a few running hooks. Imavov remained light on his feet, held the center and raged the attacks of the Brazilian. Again, when Borralho changed from levels in search of a Takedown, this was not the most explosive, with Imavov filling the attempt. Quite easy with that. The striking opened afterwards, Borralho soon showed some damage around the face.
In the beginning of the third, Imavov cut Borralho in and left him behind. The couple grabbed briefly, but remained standing, undoubtedly in favor of Nassourdine Imavov. Borralho then indicated that he had become low, which led to the ref, Marc Goddard, who stopped the action. That gave Caio the opportunity to recover, and as soon as the action was resumed, the Borralho was connected to a left hand. Imavov stumbled a step, but did not go down. And a little later an eye chocke stopped the promotion again by Imavov.
After a warning, the couple grabbed; After breaking, Imavov landed at least two or three punches in a combination. There was an argument that the fight was 30-27 on the way to round four; In the best case, Borralho may have stolen the third, unlikely as it seems.
Borralho came out a little more actively in round four and mixed his strikes. Imavov, however, was there with an answer, his right hand crispy. A little over a minute later Borralho was grazed by a low blow, but chose to fight without a recovery time. A Takedown attempt came closer to Borralho later in the round, but he just couldn’t complete it. Even worse, the Brazilian was clearly tiring, while Imavov still looked fresh. The bumps of Imavov were sharper, his speed one step faster.
Round Fifth needed Caio Borralho who needed a finish in a fight that he had left almost from the start. But Imavov was not delayed. A few minutes in, Borralho succeeded in landing solidly, with a support from Imavov. Imavov returned and connected to a low staircase. His right hand hit the goal again. Borralho needed a knock -out blow or an entry. Instead, another Eye Coke landed on Borralho and stopped the action. A hard warning followed but no point deduction. That was not a help to Borralho, considering how far behind him was. They would fight to the horn, but there would be no Takedown, there was no finish for the Brazilian. Imavov came up strong at the end, on the way to a crooked victory.
Official result: Nassourdine Imavov Def. Caio Borralo by Unanaire decision (50-45, 49-46, 49-46)
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