Paris Showdown: Imavov Seeks Top-5 Glory Against Borralho as Cannonier's Conqueror Eyes Championship Dreams

The UFC is headed back to France this September, and the middleweight division is about to witness a heavyweight collision that could reshape the title picture. Nassourdine Imavov (16-4-0-1) and Caio Borralho (17-1-0-1) are set to headline UFC Paris at Accor Arena on September 6, with streaming beginning at 3:00 p.m. ET on ESPN+.

Why This Fight Matters: Imavov’s Meteoric Rise

Imavov’s journey to this moment reads like a comeback story worth following. After dropping a decision to Sean Strickland in early 2023 at light heavyweight—a fight that happened on short notice when his original opponent withdrew—many wrote off the Russian prospect. But Imavov had other plans.

The turnaround began in June 2024 when he faced off against Jared Cannonier, the former middleweight title challenger, in Louisville. What unfolded was a striking masterclass. Imavov absorbed Cannonier’s offensive approach in the opening rounds, studying his range and timing. By round two, Imavov’s accuracy skyrocketed to 60 percent on significant strikes. That number climbed to 65 percent in round three and an impressive 73 percent in round four before referee Jason Herzog called a halt to the action, giving Imavov the TKO.

The Cannonier victory proved to be merely a stepping stone. In February of this year, Imavov shocked the combat sports world by defeating Israel Adesanya via TKO—a win that catapulted him to No. 2 in the official UFC middleweight rankings. Since entering the UFC in October 2020 with a decision victory, Imavov has fought eight times in the promotion, building a record that now includes wins over legitimate contenders.

Borralho’s Steady Ascension

Borralho takes a different path to this bout. The Brazilian, currently ranked No. 7 at middleweight, has shown steady progression through increasingly tougher competition. His UFC debut came in April 2022 with a technical decision victory. Since then, each opponent has presented a greater challenge.

In May 2024, Borralho scored a second-round knockout against Paul Craig. That victory set up a five-round war with Jared Cannonier in his first UFC main event appearance. The two put on such a spectacle that both fighters earned “Fight of the Night” honors, though Borralho emerged victorious via decision. This win elevated him from prospect status to legitimate contender territory.

At 31 years old, Borralho enters this matchup as a fighter hitting his prime. His 8-1-0-1 record before joining the UFC, earned through the Dana White Contender Series circuit, signals someone who has been honed through competition at the highest amateur levels.

The Stakes: Title Implications

Imavov sits comfortably in the No. 2 spot, but his claim to a title shot remains contingent on continued dominance. A victory over Borralho solidifies his position. For Borralho, an upset win vaults him into the conversation for a title eliminator, potentially skipping years of additional climbing.

This isn’t merely a fight between two fighters with similar records—it’s a clash between trajectories. Imavov carries momentum from defeating a former champion, while Borralho brings the intangibles of a fighter operating without a loss in the UFC’s middleweight division.

Full UFC Paris Card

Main Card (3:00 p.m. ET on ESPN+)

• Nassourdine Imavov vs. Caio Borralho (middleweight)
• Benoît Saint Denis vs. Maurício Ruffy (light heavyweight)
• Bolaji Oki vs. Mason Jones (light heavyweight)
• Modestas Bukauskas vs. Paul Craig (light heavyweight)
• Patrício Pitbull vs. Losene Keita (welterweight)

Preliminary Card (Noon ET on ESPN+)

• William Gomis vs. Robert Ruchała
• Oumar Sy vs. Brendson Ribeiro
• Marcin Tybura vs. Ante Delija
• Rhys McKee vs. Axel Sola
• Sam Patterson vs. Trey Waters
• Brad Tavares vs. Robert Bryczek
• Andreas Gustafsson vs. Rinat Fakhretdinov
• Shauna Bannon vs. Sam Hughes

The middleweight landscape hangs in the balance. Whether Imavov continues his ascent or Borralho upsets the narrative—this September 6 showdown will provide clarity on where the division’s future is headed.