‘The Sniper’ shoots down Borralho

Nassourdine ‘The Sniper’ Imavov has put himself forward as the next contender for the UFC Middleweight Championship after securing a unanimous decision win over Caio Borralho in the main event of a Fight Night at the Accor Arena in Paris, France, on the evening of Saturday, 6 September 2025.

The 29-year-old Frenchman became the first man in a decade to defeat ‘The Natural’ and looks set to be the first test for Khamzat Chimaev, who won the division championship off Dricus du Plessis last month.

After a cagey opening round, Imavov took control in the second with razor-sharp striking, including a spinning back-fist which caught Borralho on the neck and could have been a knock-out blow had it been just a touch higher.

The Brazilian enjoyed a better third round on the back of advice to make the fight “dirty” from his corner, but ultimately Imavov’s accurate striking regained the ascendancy through rounds four and five, earning the Frenchman a popular decision victory – 50-45 49-46 49-46 on the judges’ score cards.

“Considering the circumstances, I’m happy with my performance,” said Imavov, who admitted that he felt some degree of discomfort in his right foot through the fight.

“I am next,” Imavov responded when asked if he felt he should have his first title match. “Absolutely, I need to be the next one [to fight for the belt].”

The rest of the main card featured William Gomis out-pointing Robert Ruchala in the featherweight opener; Axel Sola stopped Rhys McKee in the third round of their welterweight fight; Mason Jones got the better of Bolaji Oki with a second-round TKO in their lightweight battle; Modestas Bukauskas knocked out fellow light heavyweight Paul Craig with a brutal elbow right at the end of round one; and home favourite Benoit Saint Denis submitted Mauricio Ruffy in the second round of their lightweight co-main event for the biggest win of his career to date.

The UFC continues next weekend with UFC Noche at the Frost bank Centre in San Antonio, Texas, headlined by a featherweight clash between Diego Lopes and Jean Silva.

UFC Fight Night: Imavov v Borralho – Main card results

- Main event: Middleweight: Nassourdine Imavov def. Caio Borralho via unanimous decision (50-45 49-46 49-46), R5, 5:00

- Lightweight: Benoit Saint Denis def. Mauricio Ruffy via submission (rear-naked choke), R2, 2:56

- Light heavyweight: Modestas Bukauskas def. Paul Craig via KO (elbows), R1, 5:00

- Lightweight: Mason Jones def. Bolaji Oki via TKO (elbows), R2, 3:18

- Welterweight: Axel Sola def. Rhys McKee via TKO (punches), R3, 2:02

- Featherweight: William Gomis def. Robert Ruchala via unanimous decision (30-27 29-28 29-28), R3, 5:00