Nassourdine Imavov has admitted that he isn’t too bothered about perhaps needing to jump over one more hurdle following his UFC Paris main event to get to a title shot.
The home fighter on Saturday night, Imavov is ranked number two at middleweight, behind former champion Dricus Du Plessis who was utterly dominated by Khamzat Chimaev last month. However, even a win over the surging Caio Borralho might not be enough to guarantee his shot at gold.
It seemed in February when Imavov knocked out former champion Israel Adesanya that he might have earned himself a shot at gold. But that didn’t work out and Chimaev got the chance, and now there is something of a competition with UFC Vancouver headliners Reinier De Ridder and Anthony Hernandez.
Nassourdine Imavov vows to prove himself to Dana White
While it has long seemed that the UFC Paris main event between Nassourdine Imavov and Caio Borralho was going to be a title decider, Dana White seems to have a different idea. While announcing the UFC Vancouver headliner, he indicated it may be a tournament type situation, with both acting as semi-finals.
However, Imavov believes he will secure his spot on Saturday with yet another highlight reel performance that leaves no doubt. “No, I’m not disappointed,” Imavov told MMAFighting’s Mike Heck when asked about White’s thoughts.
“I know what I’m worth, and after this fight, I’m going to be the number one contender for the belt, and I know that what I’ve done in the weight class, no one else has done it. Like if you talk about those three contenders, they didn’t do what I did.
“I’m just different [from] any other guys in the weight class… Right now I’m focusing on this fight, but after this fight, we’re going to concentrate on the [Khamzat] and prepare everything well. [But] I’m just different from anyone in the weight class.”
Nassourdine Imavov believes Caio Borralho is not a serious title contender
In fact, Imavov believes that his opponent on Saturday isn’t even truly in title contention at all. After over a year out of action, the Brazilian claimed his rival was ‘ducking him’, which the French star has roundly shut down.
“There won’t be a semifinal,” Imavov told media this week. “With a win, I’m the next contender. Like I said, no one has done what I’ve done: Five wins. Who knocked out Israel (Adesanya) in that fashion? Who did? So, no, I’m the next contender for the title.
“Why does he deserve? For what reason? What has he done? It’s been a year since he last fought. Last year he fought twice. He doesn’t deserve it more than De Ridder.”