Nassourdine Imavov delivered a spectacular performance on Saturday night, securing the most significant win of his UFC career by defeating former title challenger Jared Cannonier by TKO in the fourth round. The match took place at the KFC Yum! Center in Louisville, Kentucky, where Imavov finished Cannonier with a series of punches at 1:34 of the fourth round. While Imavov’s victory was impressive, there were some mixed reactions regarding the manner in which the fight concluded. Imavov initially rocked Cannonier with a powerful right hand, and with Cannonier pinned against the fence, referee Jason Herzog stepped in to halt the bout. However, some observers felt that the stoppage was premature as Cannonier seemed lucid and protested against the decision. Despite the controversy surrounding the ending, Imavov displayed his prowess throughout the match, engaging in both striking and takedown attempts to dominate the fight.
In the post-fight interview, Imavov mentioned, “I was ready to continue the fight,” while acknowledging the referee’s authority in such situations. He expressed confidence in Herzog’s decision-making, although he personally felt prepared to keep the fight going. The disagreement over the stoppage aside, Imavov’s performance in his third UFC main event was commendable. He showed comfort in trading shots with Cannonier and successfully executed takedowns to diversify his offensive strategies. Cannonier, on the other hand, landed significant strikes during the bout, making it a highly competitive matchup. However, Imavov’s dominant display in the fourth round ultimately secured him the victory, improving his record to 2-0 for the year following wins over Roman Dolidze and Cannonier.
Looking ahead, Imavov set his sights on challenging former middleweight champion Sean Strickland, expressing his desire to face him in France. However, it is worth noting that Strickland has indicated his intention to wait for a title shot, potentially dampening Imavov’s immediate plans. As for Cannonier, who returned from a previous injury, this loss marks his first defeat since his title fight against Israel Adesanya in July 2022. Prior to the match, Cannonier held the No. 4 ranking in the UFC middleweight division, while Imavov was positioned at No. 7, underscoring the significance of Imavov’s victory in the rankings.
In the co-main event of the evening, former light heavyweight contender Dominick Reyes managed to break a four-fight losing streak by defeating Dustin Jacoby. Reyes, who challenged Jon Jones for the title in 2020, had faced consecutive knockout losses in his recent outings. However, a well-timed left hand and knee strike propelled Reyes to his first victory since 2019. Additionally, 19-year-old rising star Raul Rosas Jr. secured his third UFC win with a submission triumph over Ricky Turcios, further adding to the excitement of the event.
Nassourdine Imavov’s triumph over Jared Cannonier showcased his skill and determination in the octagon. While the stoppage may have been a point of contention, there is no denying the impact of Imavov’s victory on his UFC career and the middleweight division as a whole. With both fighters demonstrating their talents and resilience, the future holds intriguing possibilities for their respective journeys in the realm of mixed martial arts.