The search for Khamzat Chimaev’s UFC 317 opponent is ongoing, as Dricus Du Plessis is sidelined by injury.
Surging Brazilian contender Caio Borralho claims that No. 1-ranked middleweight Nassourdine Imavov won’t face Chimaev or vie for a title because Imavov declined a fight with him, frustrating UFC matchmakers.
Imavov recently explained his decision to turn down Borralho.
“He’ll get KOed. He’ll sleep. Then they’re gonna say, ‘It’s normal. He was ranked No. 1,” Imavov said. “That’s their way of managing their careers. Falling forwards. It’s better to fall forward than backwards.”
“He comes against the No. 1 contender and then get his ass kicked then they’ll say ‘well, he’s No. 1, he’ll recover and come back stronger. So wait your turn. Little by little. You have to be patient. People aren’t patient,” Imavov concluded. “The key is patience, true or not?”
Nassourdine Imavov on why he isn’t interested in the Caio Borralho fight:
“He’ll get KOed. He’ll sleep. Then they’re gonna say ‘It’s normal. He was [ranked] #1, you see’.
That’s their way of managing their careers. Falling forwards. It’s better to fall forwards than… pic.twitter.com/t1s5b8dg6i
— Championship Rounds (@ChampRDS) April 21, 2025
With a 16-4-1 record and a recent stoppage win (watch it) over former two-time champion Israel Adesanya, Imavov has a strong case for an interim title shot.
However, the UFC often favors marketability over merit and meritocracy. And with Borralho riding the hype of ‘The Fighting Nerds,’ he might just overshadow Imavov’s claim.
This discussion could soon be moot, as UFC has yet to confirm an interim title for UFC 317 or whether Chimaev will compete later in Abu Dhabi.
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